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8 2 7 With a Twist 986 1 2 4 E ! 243 422 INSIDE JOURNAL 7 9 8 5 p.3 Restaurant of Second YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION VOLUME 2, NO. 2 SPRING 2019 Chances p.4 A New Dawn in the Race of Life by Grayson Pope stuck in a destructive cycle of addiction, criminal activity, t just 15, Dawn incarceration, and relapse. Rassett felt she Her meth use destroyed her didn’t matter. A marriage and drove away her childhood marred daughter. Dawn’s mother by sexual abuse stopped speaking to her. Aleft her with crippling self- After experiencing a brief doubt and a distorted body victory over her addiction, image. She made herself she relapsed in 2014. Within throw up regularly, trying to six months, she received an regain a sense of control over eight-year stint for identity her body. theft. “It was horrible,” Dawn After decades of trying to remembers about walking into escape the pain she felt inside, the Minnesota Correctional and exhausted from having Facility-Shakopee for women her first child, Dawn picked up in March 2015. a meth addiction in 1996. She Being locked up was was 27 years old. overwhelming for Dawn. She spent the next decade She knew something had to change. Though she didn’t Photography Elizabeth by Kara Photo spend much time in church Addiction, an eating disorder, theft, strained relationships—Dawn was running herself ragged. growing up—she described her Then she went to and finally found rest and self-worth. family as “CEOs: those who Her attend church on Christmas and Easter Only”—she began ‘Finish the race, Dawn to “finish the race; win experience” that helped her meth use to read the Bible and find win the prize’ the prize.” understand the full impact a spiritual foundation for As part of the Academy, So, Dawn kept “racing,” of her negative choices and destroyed her life. Dawn and the other pouring herself into the strengthened her resolve That’s when a friend of participants were paired with Academy. She loved so much never to make the same hers inside joined the Prison women on the outside who about it—the knowledgeable mistakes. her ® Fellowship Academy , agreed to be prayer partners. facilitators, the in-depth What Dawn most treasures marriage an intensive, holistic life- Dawn’s prayer partner told curriculum, the classmates about the Academy is that transformation program. her the Lord kept bringing who became like sisters, and it helped her realize that and drove After learning more about Philippians 3:14 to mind when the caring volunteers. she matters, and that she the Academy, Dawn knew it she thought of Dawn: “I press “I was in awe of the is worthy of respect and was the right path for her, too. on to reach the end of the volunteers,” she says. One care. She recalls, “I learned away her Determined to make the most race and receive the heavenly volunteer was a victim of who I am in Christ, that I’m of her incarceration, Dawn prize for which God, through identity theft. Dawn says daughter. signed up. The 12-month Christ Jesus, is calling us” listening to the volunteer’s program was life-changing. (NLT). She kept reminding story was a “healing Continued on page 2

A ’s Cookbook: Tasty Treats Behind Bars by Stacia Ray commissary items. our favorites from Angelina’s From buffalo chicken to many recipes. If you try any flavors gooey brownies, Angelina of these and want to tell us from the explains that her cookbook is how they turned out, or if you outside do made of recipes from many have other recipe ideas of your you miss different people and that the own, feel free to write to us at: the most? items have been successfully Inside Journal, ATTN: Recipes, WThe juicy cheeseburger from tested. P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA your favorite diner? Your “They [are] tried-and-true 20146-1790. grandma’s homemade apple recipes,” she says. “I hope you pie? Whatever you’re craving, can enjoy them as much as we Happy cooking! there are ways to reproduce all have.” some of the tastes of home If you have the right NOTE: Some of these with limited ingredients and a ingredients, these can be easy ingredients may not be available little creativity. to make. or allowed in all facilities, and Angelina, a prisoner in “I never thought in a restrictions on cooking vary. Minnesota Correctional million years that you could Be sure to comply with your Facility-Shakopee, has put make so many things in the facility’s rules and regulations. together a recipe book of tasty microwave,” she adds. We’re featuring a few of treats and eats made from pamela_d_mcadams/GettyImages Continued on page 2 INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2019 1 Cookbook Stop Chasing the Wrong Goals! Continued from page 1 By Annie Goebel Popcorn Supreme shell, add chicken mixture, cheese, and ranch dressing. ave you ever • 1 (8-oz.) bag microwave up by rolling into wondered why popcorn burrito. Makes 6 wraps. you are alive? • 2 (8-oz.) bags caramels Do you want to • 3 oz. honey (one-fourth know if God has of a 12-oz. bottle) Strawberry Cake Ha bigger purpose for your life? • 2 scoops peanut butter I’ve got good news for you: • 1 pkg. vanilla wafers Yes, He does! Pop popcorn; set aside. • 2 pkgs. red Kool-Aid God has a plan for each In medium bowl, place • 1 pkg. strawberry-filled of us: “… plans for good and caramels and a little water cookies not for disaster, to give you a and heat for 30 seconds at • 6 oz. (half a 12-oz. bag) future and a hope,” according a time until melted. Add French vanilla creamer to Jeremiah 29:11. But how honey and peanut butter; • 6 pkgs. sugar can you know what God’s heat for 1 minute and stir. plans are? Photo by Taralyn Quigley by Taralyn Photo Put popcorn on plates or In large bowl, crush up The big goals we set for plastic bags and drizzle wafers. Add some water, a ourselves may not line up mixture on popcorn. little at a time, and stir until with God’s big goals for us. uneasiness? And finally, what it’s like cake batter. Add He defines success differently do other Christian friends or in the Kool-Aid packets than we usually do, but He mentors think of it? The Bible Subscription Chili Cheese Pie and stir together. Separate does want us to succeed. tells us in Proverbs 19 to seek the outsides of the cookies Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in advice and accept discipline, Info • 1 pkg. (or 15-oz. can) from their creamy filling, the Lord with all your heart; and this is especially true in chili with beans putting the filling in a small do not depend on your own decision-making. At Inside Journal® (IJ), • Seasoning packet from bowl. Crush the outsides understanding. Seek His will Yes, God has a plan for chili-flavored ramen of the cookies and stir into

So-CoAddict/iStock we receive many letters in all you do, and He will show you. Seek Him in all areas of each week from • 3 pkgs. sugar the batter mix. Microwave you which path to take.” But for 3 minutes. Take out and your life, and He will direct asking for subscriptions • Half a bag of corn chips how do we seek Him and your path. In this edition of • 1 summer sausage set aside to cool. In filling know which path He wants us Inside Journal, we discuss to our newspaper. We • Squeeze cheese bowl, mix in some creamer. to follow? God’s plans for our success are grateful for the • Lawry’s seasoning When the cake has cooled, The first step is to really get here on earth. On page 1, interest and support of • Onion flakes with the filling mix as to know the Bible. Read it, check out our favorite meal our readers—however, • 1 (8-oz.) block mozzarella frosting. meditate on it, study it, and ideas you can make with some because of limitations cheese, cut up even memorize it. When you simple ingredients and a little feel stressed, try repeating a on our staff and budget, creativity. On page 3, you’ll IJ is only available in Cook chili as directed. Chocolate Brownies verse over and over—it’s learn about the recipe for a Cut up sausage and add to bulk shipments to your very calming! successful life. On page 4, the chili mixture. Stir in ramen • 1 bag vanilla wafers Once you’ve gotten to owner of EDWINS restaurant chaplain, programming seasoning, sugar, Lawry’s, • Chocolate milk know the Word better, ask shares his advice for success coordinator, or a and onion flakes. Microwave • Water the Lord to help you make behind bars and beyond. And volunteer who visits your for 2 minutes. In a medium • Hot cocoa packet decisions. Pray about a also on page 4, read about facility. Chaplains, to set bowl, crunch up corn chips decision and ask God’s Spirit some exciting news stories and spread out to create In medium bowl, crush to give you wisdom. up these shipments for that may just affect you free, please contact our a base layer. Top with chili up the vanilla wafers. Add For example, if, after your personally. mixture. Melt mozzarella water, a little at a time, editorial staff at release, someone wants to I pray you find just the right in microwave, then pour and keep stirring until it is hire you to do something ingredients you need for some onto chili mixture. Top with like a batter. Stir in a little you’re unsure about, ask inspiration in this edition. n P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, Squeeze Cheese to your chocolate milk. Add half yourself some questions: VA 20146-1790 or liking. the packet of cocoa to the Is it an honest job, or is it Annie Goebel is the director of [email protected]. batter and stir. For the dishonest? When I pray programs and special events for “frosting,” pour the other about it, do I feel peace or women at . Chicken half of the cocoa packet into separate bowl, add a • 24 oz. (two 12-oz. pkgs.) little water, and stir; then microwave for 30 seconds. Eyes on the prize with her mother. She got chicken A New Dawn Add frosting to brownies Dawn was released on involved with a local church • 1 pkg. rice Continued from page 1 and let cool. March 27, 2017. Just one and Celebrate Recovery, a • Tang • Soy sauce beautifully and wonderfully week before her release, she Christ-centered program for made, like Psalm 139 says.” discovered an open room at people with “hurts, habits, and a clean-and-sober house. hang-ups.” Cook rice as directed; set Monster Cookie Bars Now, when she begins to have aside. Heat chicken. Add negative thoughts about her She then found work at a Lately, she has discovered Christian-owned business why these kinds of connections 2 scoops of Tang and soy • 1 small jar peanut butter body, she fights against the sauce (to taste) to the • 2 (8-oz.) pkgs. caramels destructive thinking with the through a job placement are so important for a healthy program she worked with reentry; after several months chicken. Add a spoonful of • 1 (12-oz.) jar honey truth that she is a precious hot water and stir together. • 2 pkgs. bananas & cream daughter of God. while incarcerated. of things going smoothly, After finding a place to a string of Dawn’s family Microwave for 2 minutes. oatmeal Equipped with a new way of Pour orange chicken • 1/2 pkg. vanilla wafers seeing herself and the world, live and starting her new job, members lost their lives Dawn reconnected with her or experienced prolonged mixture on top of rice. • 6 sugar packets Dawn looked forward to her • 1/2 cup French vanilla release, though it was mixed daughter, and they are still illnesses. in contact today. Dawn says Traumatic events like these creamer with anxiety over returning to • 1 bag M&Ms life on the outside. she is also now “super close” can be dangerous for people Buffalo Chicken Wrap with addictions, who may • Cereal of your choice be tempted to return to old • 6 tortilla shells habits. But Dawn has found • 1 (8-oz.) pkg. mozzarella In large bowl, crunch up comfort from family, friends, cheese, cubed vanilla wafers. Add dry and Prison Fellowship® • 24 oz. (two 12-oz. pkgs.) oatmeal. Stir in creamer volunteers who have reached chicken, cooked and peanut butter. Then out, and she has kept her • 4 individual serving stir in cereal, M&Ms, and “eyes on the prize.” pouches (approx. 2 oz. honey. Mix it all together. “I want to do what’s right each) ranch dressing In separate bowl, microwave even when no one’s looking. • Tapatío hot sauce the caramels (about 30 I came to see that no matter seconds at a time until what, [life is] about choices … In medium bowl, combine melted); add melted and it’s going to be OK as hot sauce and chicken. caramels to the mixture. n long as my eyes are fixed Warm tortilla shells for 20 Pat the mixture into bars. on Christ.” n seconds. In each tortilla Photo by Kara Elizabeth Photography Elizabeth by Kara Photo

2 INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2019 Rewriting Your Recipe for Success by Johnathan Kana worked for can be gone. leaves you unfulfilled? There I know, because prior to behind bars, I finally realized it my arrest, I fed and chased was time to stop chasing the still remember the first that beast for the better beast. Time to re-evaluate my QUIT THE RAT RACE! time I caught a glimpse part of my adult life, only idea of success. Are you chasing after unfulfilling goals? If you don’t of myself in the white to spend two long years of In the Bible, Jesus warns surrender yourself to God, all the money and power on Texas prisoners incarceration reflecting His followers not to strive the planet will mean nothing in the end. Romans 12:2 says, wear. That was when it “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let on the high cost of my for fame, riches, and other Ireally sank in: I had become God transform you into a new person by changing the way ambition. Before prison, I worldly markers of success. just another face in a sea you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, had seriously invested myself He says that it’s possible for which is good and pleasing and perfect.” of hundreds of people in a career path that, after someone to “gain the whole reduced to the worst thing prison, was now closed to me, world” (Matthew 16:26)—to If you don’t know how to find success God’s way, start with they’d ever done. this simple prayer: probably forever. have everything the world Dressed in those drab With a criminal record, my says we should ever want garments, I looked no “Lord, help me to see that You are the only path to college degree wouldn’t help or need—yet feel utterly different from the next true success. Show me how to stop seeking the things me much when it was time to unfulfilled, like there’s still that don’t matter to You. Humble me to seek You prisoner in line. apply for a job after something missing that above all else. Amen.” No one who only God can saw me in that To discover how God can show you a more fulfilling life supply. moment would ever than you ever dreamed, sign up for a free correspondence Jesus guess that I was an Bible study through one of our trusted partner also Eagle Scout, an all- organizations by writing to “Recipe for Success,” c/o Inside tells His Journal, P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA 20146-1790. To state musician, and the followers a request a large-print Inside Journal Life Recovery Bible in valedictorian of my high story about English or Spanish, see the ad on this page. school class. They’d have no a rich man in idea that before coming to Luke 12:16-21. prison, I graduated college At the end of with honors and was working that story, Jesus on a master’s degree with a True success I’m struck by how strangely says, “A person full-tuition fellowship. Scripture says all of us happy I seem. The uniform is is a fool to store In the free world, I had been have rejected God. We are as drab as ever, but neither up earthly wealth an overachiever who, by all determined to pursue our own of us seems to mind. Perhaps but not have a outward appearances, was vision of the “good life.” Yet that’s because by the time rich relationship going to do big things with his no matter how hard we try, we that photo was taken, I had prison, with God.” life. But behind bars, staring always come up short. decided to trust God for my and I didn’t exactly have a God doesn’t measure His at myself in that uniform, I God sent His Son Jesus to future instead of trying to Plan B for my life. I felt like people by impressive job felt like the biggest failure in earth to show us how to truly blaze my own path. my chances for “success,” at titles, fancy college degrees, the world. live the “good life.” Because I no longer chase after the least how I had always defined and high salaries—things we could never fix our sick “success beast” of big salaries that term, were gone. That society often equates with hearts on our own, Jesus took and impressive job titles. The False sense of success terrified me. success. In fact, seeking those all our sins and selfishness to only title that matters to me The kind of success most Sitting there in my prison things can often lead to pride the cross, where He died a now is “child of God.” That’s people pursue, measured whites, I had to face the fact and greed. criminal’s death on our behalf. the most prestigious title I by the money in your bank that there was still a part The Bible talks about Anyone willing to turn to could ever have. n account or the power you of me that was desperately success as a recipe of love, Jesus can become a child of wield, is a shifty, dangerous sick. If I looked deep inside, I compassion, generosity, and God—and know real success. Johnathan Kana is a former beast. The more you feed it, could sense a void that would humility. God’s Word says I still have a picture of me prisoner who now serves as a the hungrier it gets. And the never be satisfied, even with that “God blesses those in that white prison uniform. freelance writer and musician. He longer you chase it, the more a good job, a great education, who are humble, for they It’s a snapshot with my wife lives with his family in Texas. likely it is to turn on you. In and friends in high places. will inherit the whole earth” in the unit visitation room. an instant, everything you’ve What good is success if it only (Matthew 5:5). Each time I stumble across it, Photo by naruedom/GettyImages

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INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2019 3 This Chef Is Serving Up Second Chances by Grayson Pope At the end of the program, would you give them as far graduates can either apply for as how or when to talk about randon Chrostowski a job with EDWINS or we’ll their criminal record during a is the owner help them find one elsewhere. job interview? and founder Since housing can be such an of EDWINS issue for former prisoners, BC: Start from a place of Leadership & we have a separate campus honesty and then expand BRestaurant Institute in with three buildings and on what you’ve learned and Cleveland, Ohio. EDWINS houses for current students gained. Imagine a formerly is a French fine-dining and graduates. There’s a incarcerated person saying, restaurant staffed entirely by library, fitness center, and test “Hey, I’ve been to prison formerly incarcerated men kitchen. That’s a place where and served time behind bars, and women. Inside Journal someone can live in a safe but it really taught me this sat down with Brandon to talk environment and study. about myself and pointed me about second chances and in a direction where I want how to prepare for future job IJ: These programs have to accomplish something. success. garnered a lot of attention, It wasn’t ideal, but it helped especially because of build my character.” If you Inside Journal: Where the Oscar-nominated hear that, you’re moved by

Photo courtesy of Brandon Chrostowski courtesy of Brandon Photo something like that. did you get the idea documentary “Knife Skills” that tells the story of for EDWINS? about the losses, I realized change the societal perception EDWINS. Tell us more about IJ: What other advice can you Brandon Chrostowski: As a [that] my stars had changed of former prisoners reentering the film. give our readers? teenager, I faced a 10-year because of others investing society. We shouldn’t overlook sentence on a drug-related in my life and development. someone’s perspective BC: I knew the message BC: What you’re going felony charge, but the judge That’s really what encouraged regardless of if they’ve been behind EDWINS had to be through now can give you let me off with probation. me, and I said, “Hey, I’ve got to prison or Princeton or captured to be able to reach perspective in a way nothing When I was on probation, to build something.” wherever. inside the walls and get to else really can. Find out who I ended up meeting a people who are losing hope. you are and what you’re chef in downtown Detroit IJ: That “something” became IJ: How does the In 2013, I ended up having supposed to be doing here. who mentored me in the the EDWINS Leadership & program work? dinner with a filmmaker That can only come through fundamentals of the culinary Restaurant Institute. What’s who’s won an Oscar and was reflection. Start learning a arts and hospitality. From the vision behind EDWINS? BC: It starts in prison. We nominated several times. I skill now or refine one you there I just ran with it. I teach men and women basic started talking to him about a already have through any went to school in New York, BC: The idea behind EDWINS culinary skills and what it takes film project on EDWINS. The programming you can find. If then worked in some great is that every human being, to work in hospitality. The goal film goes behind the scenes you’re passionate about what restaurants in France. I went regardless of their past, has a is to empower them to take to show audiences what our you do, and you’re willing back to New York in 2002, right to a fair and equal future. control of their future and program’s like. It’s affected a to listen, then the sky’s the and I kept getting these We wanted to carve out a show them what’s possible. lot of people. When we screen limit. If you keep on working phone calls from back home mission that’s committed to On the outside, we offer a it in , people are very hard, and you embrace your in Detroit where people would giving people a second chance six-month program through moved by the film. perspective, you will succeed say, “Quentin got murdered,” and developing their careers EDWINS where formerly in whatever it is that you want or a chef I worked with had and dreams. The overarching incarcerated people learn IJ: Some of our readers will to succeed at. It’s not over. It’s just been killed. When I heard vision is to make sure we dining room and kitchen skills. be released soon. What advice just begun. n

‘We Believe in promote second chances from while prisoners at facilities Second Chances’ coast to coast. Community in Ohio and Minnesota events, such as the Second worked with prison officials to News + Notes Chance 5K in Minnesota, organize Second Chance 5Ks Since 2017, Prison FIRST STEP Act supported by many groups, Fellowship has led the have expanded each year. on their yards. Becomes Law including the ACLU, Right on charge to declare April as James J. Ackerman, April 2019’s Second , and Prison Fellowship. Second Chance™ Month. president and CEO of Prison Chance Month theme is This nationwide effort exists Fellowship, says, “We are “We Believe in Second The FIRST STEP Act, federal fighting for those Americans Chances.” There will be more criminal justice reform Florida Restores to unlock opportunities for men and women who have … who wish to regain their 5Ks—both in prisons and legislation supported by Voting Rights dignity and make important out—prayer walks throughout both the Democrats and paid their debt to society and create awareness of the contributions to society.” the country, reentry fairs, Republicans, was passed Approximately 70 million challenges they face. In the middle of the and church events raising in December 2018 by American adults—or 1 in For the past two years, the movement for second chances awareness of the importance overwhelming majorities in 3—have a criminal record, Senate passed are returning citizens of second chances. n the House of Representatives limiting their access to a resolution to declare April and currently incarcerated and the Senate. The bill, education, jobs, and housing. Second Chance Month. In men and women. In 2018, which will affect more than In some settings, they are doing so, the Senate joined people with a criminal record 180,000 people in the not permitted to vote. In the White House, governors, shared their stories at a Bureau of Prisons, was signed November 2018, during state legislatures, and more community prayer walk into law by President Trump the nationwide mid-term than 232 organizations to event in Washington, D.C., on December 21, 2018. elections, Florida voters © 2019 by Prison Fellowship ® Among other measures, approved Amendment 4, a INSIDE JOURNAL SUDOKU KEY is published four times a year by the FIRST STEP Act will: measure to restore voting Prison Fellowship, enact modest but important rights for people with a Use the letters directly P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA above each number 20146-1790. sentencing reforms; increase felony conviction (except for to unlock the the good-time credit from message below! prisonfellowship.org homicide or a felony sexual 703.478.0100 47 days per year to 54 days offense) as soon as they fully per year; recommend that Editorial Manager: Maria Mallory White complete their sentence, Managing Editor: Stacia Ray federal prisoners be eligible including prison, probation, for transfer to facilities no Writers: Annie Goebel, and parole. Johnathan Kana, more than 500 miles from The decision, which changed Grayson Pope, Stacia Ray home; increase eligibility the Florida state constitution, Graphic Designer: Jaron Davis for visits and calls with loved affects more than 1 million ones; and allow prisoners to A member of the Evangelical people. Previously, Floridians Council for Financial get earned-time credits for with a felony conviction Accountability and the American participating in programs could only have their voting Correctional Association. proven to reduce recidivism. rights restored by the state’s Inside Journal® is a registered trademark of Prison Fellowship®. The FIRST STEP Act was Executive Clemency Board.

INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2019 4