Magdalene Visit Brings Meaning and Motivation to Otter Creek Offenders

As the song “God Blessed the Broken Road” rang out on the recreation yard at Otter Creek Correctional Center, the air was filled with more than just the sound of vocals and instruments – it was also infused with the spirit of hope for incarcerated women now aware of a full, healthy future within their grasp.

A concert featuring Grammy Award-winning songwriter Marcus Hummon and Mercury recording artist Julie Roberts closed a highly spirited, day-long visit of 10 representatives from Magdalene in September.

The CCA-supported organization is based in Nashville and helps female ex-offenders overcome addiction and start their lives anew. Founded in 1997, Magdalene offers a two-year residential program and serves as a safe haven where women can build healthy lives in a community environment. More than 100 women have graduated from the program since its inception.

“Their mission is similar to the CCA mission,” says Rick Seiter, executive vice president and chief corrections officer, who coordinated the visit. “A lot of our clients become residents at Magdalene House.”

The visit functioned as a kick-off for the recently published Find Your Way Home: Words from the Street, Wisdom from the Heart, an anthology by women served by Magdalene, featuring 24 principles for rebuilding broken lives. The Magdalene group held two presentations: one for inmates active in the residential drug abuse program (RDAP) and another for general population inmates. All RDAP inmates were required to attend and nearly 90 percent of the general inmate population chose to participate.

“It was life-changing for some of them,” says OCCC warden Jeff Little. “They got some information that they had no idea was out there, and the entire visit was very positive. It was very well received by staff and inmates alike.”

During the visit, women who have been helped by Magdalene read selections from their new book and shared personal testimonies of former offenders who have successfully completed the program.

“So many of them were brought to tears when they heard the Magdalene women talk about their similar situations,” says Seiter. “It was very moving.”

Melissa Williams, a Kentucky state inmate, describes the event as “moving as well as inspiring. It was like looking in the mirror at those that had been there, done that and found a way out.”

The book Find Your Way Home will be available in the RDAP library for inmates to check out and read at their leisure. The stories have already touched the lives of many inmates at OCCC, as evidenced by their responses.

“How fortunate I am to have had an opportunity to examine self, from the women of Magdalene,” says Mirian Cummings, a Hawaii state inmate. “As I sat and listened to these women, my story unfolded through their sharing. Hope is what I gained from their stories and a renewed desire to be all that I can be.”