Do faith-based rehabilitation programs work? Ryan Newswanger, CEO of Jubilee Ministries, said Jubilee’s efforts have gotten a positive response from both inmates and employees at the various prisons where the ministry efforts take place. Newswanger spoke to the Schuylkill County Prison Board during a meeting Wednesday.

In addition to visiting inmates and conducting programs within prison, Jubilee also runs an Aftercare Program in Lebanon. Newswanger, who is originally from Pine Grove, explained how the Aftercare program is run.

At 6:30 a.m., participants begin their day, which includes work with a wage. The day also includes classroom time with lessons on life skills and recovery, as well as Bible study. The initial workplace is Jubilee Ministries Thrift Store for a minimum of 500 hours. If that is successfully accomplished, the participant then pursues other job opportunities.

“We don’t tolerate poor performance or attitude,” Newswanger said. “We’ve heard (from those recently released) I just need a job.”

“We were helping someone do their taxes and the person had W-2s from 22 employers — that person knew how to get a job,” he continued. “But people have to learn how to be a good employee.”

Most recently, the Aftercare Program has begun to offer its services as part of an alternative sentencing. For example, someone who would receive a six-month county prison sentence is offered a choice — six months in the county prison or 12 months in the Jubilee Aftercare.

The Jubilee Aftercare Program is accomplishment-based, rather than time-based. Graduation is achieved after students complete their required work hours, classroom hours and counseling sessions.

Newswanger said inmates are considered for the program on a case-by-case basis. For more information, go to www.jub.org, or call 717-274-7528.