Serving Time, Serving Others: Acts of Kindness by Inmates, Prison Staff, Victims, and Volunteers

These inspiring and true stories reveal the restorative benevolence that is alive and well behind prison walls. Whether through a helping hand from another inmate, a gesture of kindness from a prison volunteer, or caring treatment and respect from a correctional officer, counselor, chaplain or other staff person, you will be uplifted as you read about amazing people who have performed humane acts in inhumane surroundings.

Serving Time, Serving Others is for those who have ever spent time behind bars; who have ever had a loved-one imprisoned; who work or volunteer in a correctional facility; who have ever been a victim of crime; and, who understand that we all share the responsibility of helping others—no matter who they are, where they live, or what they've done.

Each heartfelt story captures the essence of genuine kindness and illustrates that even the darkest pits of despair and hopelessness can be illuminated by just one good deed. Genuine kindheartedness has the miraculous power to heal, transform and inspire—even those behind bars. It can also foster forgiveness and a desire to change.

Some stories will help you in your personal growth and spiritual awareness. Others will help you appreciate your freedom. Still others will remind us that we all make mistakes. And some will reaffirm the fact that, although many of us may be imprisoned in some way (either by a limiting belief, addiction, illness, habit or other circumstance), we all need a helping hand, at some point in our lives, to lift us up out of the depths of despair.

Serving Time, Serving Others will leave you with a renewed appreciation of the restorative power of kindness and the resilience of the human spirit—whether or not you live or work behind the razor wire.