Introduction
Jesus Fraternity is a Church Organization established in 1985
and approved by the Peace, Justice and Development Commission
of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference in 1989. This
focuses its attention on the correction, reformation and rehabilitation
of those in prison, the welfare and integral development of their
children, families, the victims and their families. It also attempts
to orient its services to prevent the potential criminals and
delinquents. At present it has been operating in all the central
prisons and jails in Kerala offering various religious and non-religious
services to all categories of people, irrespective of their caste,
creed, sex and color. As such it has been widely accepted and
appreciated by the state department as a voluntary agency and
by majority of the masses. The Church in Kerala through this agency
caters approximately to 8000 prisoners and to a double number
of others. The organization has 46 units to serve those who are
already in prison, carrying the message of Jesus’ compassionate
and forgiving love into the prisons walls.
The ministry attempts to help not only the prison inmates but
also their children and families on the road to a positive return
to their normal life in the society. It also extends its boundaries
of services to the victims of various crimes and their families,
preparing the ground for reconciliation between the families of
victims and the offenders and their families.
The agency tries to help those prisoners already released through
an immediate program of rehabilitation through 9 centers across
the state. They remain in these centers for a period of 6 months
before they get into their families in order to be attuned to
the society and family.
Following is the list of these 9.
1. Snehasramam
Vettukkad
2. Ashadeepam Vettukkad
3. Nirmal Bhavan Mariapuram
4. Snehanivas Aluva
5. Shantibhavan Pathadipalam
6. Karunyashram Thoppil
7. Snehashram Monvila
8. Snehadeepam Inchiani
9. Agustinian Nivas Punalur
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