For this research, we will bring into conversation: 1) a literature review of the challenges of social and economic violence for returning citizens; 2) some anecdotal data about the challenges of re-entry for formerly incarcerated people; 3) the experience of spiritual renewal while incarcerated within the tradition of Christianity; and 4) the perspectives of open and relational theology on the work of God within the flourishing or the floundering life of a returning citizen.
The goal of this conversation is to compare the effectiveness of classical views of God's love and justice versus the effectiveness of open relational views of God's love and justice when addressing the challenges of returning citizens who have deepened their consciousness about God and about themselves while incarcerated.