There are currently more than 670 UK churches registered as 'ex-offender' churches, and Caring for Ex-Offenders is now operating in the UK, Canada, USA and South Africa.

The following article was published in the Adelaide Advertiser last month, following the Caring for Ex-Offenders program being trialed in Australia:

South Australian churches are being taught how to deal with ex-prisoners and help intergrate them into the community as part of a new Australian program.

Adelaide will be the first city to trial the Caring For Ex-Offenders program, run by Alpha Australia.

Alpha Australia national co-ordinator John Clarke said there is a 'huge need' for the services in Adelaide.

'The numbers (of people) coming out of prison in South Australia each week are huge and so is that need,' he said.

'Whatever interest we can get from churches will be met by the people coming from prison.'

Church staff and volunteers are shown during extensive training days how to handle former prisoners and cope with issues such as drug abuse and mental health problems.

A team of four is then allocated a particular prisoner, each taking on a different role.

One acts soley as a friend and another helps with the practical issues like finding a job and house. Another deals with the pastoral side of things,' Mr Clarke said.

About 80 representatives from eight denominations attended a training day made up of 13 electives last October, with another scheduled for March 15.

Reverend Bill Reddin from the Prison Chaplaincy Service said fear was the biggest factor stopping people from getting involved with ex-prisoners.

'The thing we find most is that people are scared,' he said.

'Churches and the general public by and large don't know how to handle somebody who is coming out of prison, but it's not rocket science. We're hoping programs like this will help dispel some of this fear.'

The program is run in 40 different countries and is expected to begin in Adelaide soon after the March 15 training day.

If you would like to find out more about getting involved with Prison Ministry either inside or outside prison, please join us at our Prison Ministry Conference on 7 November 2008.  Please see the link below for more details:http://www.htb.org.uk/events/holistic-ministry-prisons-conference-0