Not In My Backyard, Until It’s My Nephew - Pr. Carlton

Send us Fan Mail Eighty-five percent. That’s the success rate Pastor Carlton cites for a restorative justice model that helps people leave prison and stay out and it forces a bigger question: why do we accept cycles of reoffending as “normal” when support and accountability can work so well? We welcome Carlton, an ordained pastor and chaplain in Ontario, Canada, who has spent decades in prison ministry and now coordinates volunteer efforts across a large church network. He walks us through what he sees up close: the humanity most people miss, the impact of trauma and poverty, and the quiet damage incarceration does to children and partners who are left behind. We also unpack practical realities of the Canadian system, including the split between provincial and federal facilities and the policies that limit contact with families, creating an urgent need for community-based support. From GED programs and job training to the harsh wall of stigma after release, we talk about why reentry fails when housing, employment, and relationships are missing. Carlton shares a trust-based approach drawn from the life of Jesus: mingle, seek good, show sympathy, meet needs, build confidence, then invite change. We also dig into restorative justice and Circles of Support and Accountability, a structured “support plus accountability” model that has been adopted beyond Canada and challenges the idea that punishment alone creates safety. If you care about criminal justice reform, recidivism reduction, reentry, restorative justice, prison chaplaincy, or supporting families of incarcerated people, this conversation offers a clear, human roadmap. Subscribe, share this with someone who cares about second chances, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Resources & Workbooks: Book • Free Starter Guide • Heal What Raised You Workbook • Website © 2026 soulnotskin. All rights reserved.