NH DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS TO HOST OPERATION STARTING LINE

(Concord, NH) The New Hampshire Department of Corrections announced that Operation Starting Line is coming to the state's prison facilities this summer. The event, which is a collaboration of more than 25 different faith-based organizations, is set for July 31-August 7, 2002. The main event on August 3 will include a visit from Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, one of the organizations participating in this event.

Operation Starting Line uses the staff, volunteers, and resources of the 25 organizations. The event will include a prison yard presentation, a prayer retreat, cell to cell discussions, and multi-media presentations. The main event happens Saturday August 3, 1:00-3:00 PM on the ball field of the NH State Prison for Men in Concord.

Commissioner Phil Stanley said, "Religious volunteer activities are an important part of modern prison programming. We welcome Prison fellowship because we know that it has had a great deal of impact on offenders."

Operation Starting Line will provide similar events on a smaller scale at the NH State Prison for Women on August 2, 12:00-3:00 PM and at the Northern NH Correctional Facility, August 5 at 9:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 5:00 PM. The event at the Lakes Region Facility is August 7, 12:30 PM and 6:30 PM. The event for the department's three halfway houses is August 4 from 2:00-5:00 PM.