John Santa, a respected Connecticut businessman, had an epiphany in 2005. As a member of the Order of Malta, a prestigious Catholic organization whose mission is to help those who are suffering, Santa was used to ministering to the poor and sick. When a family friend was imprisoned, Santa went to visit and was struck by the immense suffering within the prison walls. Together with Dennis Dolan, the Catholic Chaplain of York Correctional Institution, the only female prison located in Connecticut, he organized the Malta Prison Volunteers Connecticut (MPVCT).
Santa is quick to state that although MPVCT is a Catholic organization, and readily ministers to those who seek their religious guidance, the group works with people of all faiths. One of the organization’s stellar programs is the Prodigal Project.
Recognizing that those released from prison desperately need to be gainfully employed, or they might resort to their former criminal lifestyle as a means of financial support, MPVCT created the Prodigal Project. The project actively seeks employment opportunities for those with a criminal history. The group speaks to potential employers about the benefits of hiring a formerly incarcerated person. Tax credits and free bonding are some of the reasons hiring an ex-offender makes sense. To taxpayers, who pay almost $700 million annually to lock up almost 17,000 prisoners (2010), any way to cut the recidivism rate is a golden opportunity to slash the state budget. Then there is the fact that formerly incarcerated persons are grateful for the opportunity to earn a living, and prove it by being responsible and hard working. (See Business Owner Tells "Why I Hire Former Convicts and Gang Members," Reentry Central News 10-18-2010)
The Prodigal Project put together an award winning video about hiring formerly incarcerated persons. The video is an excellent resource for anyone in the criminal justice reform/reentry field, and can be shown to potential employers, church groups, and community organizations.
The Prodigal Project gives a voice to formerly incarcerated persons who share their stories. Those who have seen the video often comment on how moved they were, and how the video humanizes formerly incarcerated persons. To see the video click here to go to website
To learn more about the good works of MPVCT, or about the Order of Malta click here to go to website
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