Education Secretary Betsy DeVos praised the role of churches in aiding prisoners on Monday during a discussion of faith-based initiatives in the criminal justice system.
“I believe that the church writ large and our local churches and those who make up those communities really do often have the best methods and best way forward to form relationships with individuals that are behind bars,” said DeVos at the Justice Declaration Symposium hosted by Prison Fellowship, a Christian nonprofit group serving prisoners.
The event took place at the Museum of the Bible, a museum dedicated to the history and legacy of the Bible just steps from the Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., that has received support from the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation.
DeVos added that partnerships with private sector organizations tend to be more effective than government intervention for serving prisoners.
DeVos, who has been in office since shortly after President Trump’s inauguration, spoke generally about the importance of providing education and literacy programs to prisoners to help them reenter society. She said she tries to consider herself in the position of prisoners uncertain about their future after being released and argued for “giving them a purpose, or the means for a purpose” through education.
“We all make mistakes and we all need a chance to be redeemed,” said DeVos.
