Bridges To Peace

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2025 | March

CHANGING THE FUTURE

Dear John,

We are pleased to share that our latest annual study of Bridges To Life graduates reveals the lowest recidivism rate in our history! Recidivism studies tell us the number of individuals who have returned to prison within three years after release. Our core mission is to reduce that number, thereby reducing crime and creating safer communities.

The study, which analyzed 8,980 BTL graduates released between 2017 and 2021, showed a recidivism rate of just 11.14% compared to the national average of 30%! Of those BTL graduates who did return to prison, only 1.96% reoffended with a violent crime.

With more than 87,000 inmate graduates over the past 26 years, the positive effect of Bridges To Life on our communities has been profound. Thousands of former offenders have chosen a new path, and taxpayers have saved over a billion dollars in reincarceration costs.

BTL’s impact continues to grow, and we are on track to reach the milestone of 100,000 graduates by the end of next year! As a supporter of Bridges To Life, thank you for helping us serve all those who need to make the journey from pain to peace.

Gratefully,

John Sage, Founder & CEO

Jim Buffington, COO

HEALING THE PAST

At the age of 25, Richard Lee Tabler murdered four people and received the death penalty. While on Death Row, he had the opportunity to take the Bridges To Life program and graduated in 2022.

After completing BTL, Richard informed his attorneys to stop all of his appeals as it was time for him to take responsibility and accountability for his crimes. With newly experienced remorse, he also wanted to apologize to his victim's families.

"There is not a day that goes by that I don't regret my actions. I had no right to take your loved ones from you, and I ask and pray, hope and pray, that one day you find it in your hearts to forgive me for those actions." The father of one of the victims later stated that his family accepted Richard's apology and forgave him.

We are deeply moved that a condemned man and a victim's father both found a path to peace through Bridges To Life.

THE PEACEFUL PRESENT

Each Spring, Bridges To Life staff members gather from all over the state to spend three days together at our annual Staff Retreat. This year's theme was Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace.

The inspiration for this theme came from a new book by BTL board member and author Kirk Blackard: "Finding Shalom: Journeys Beyond Peace." Kirk writes that while Shalom is a common greeting often equated with peace, it actually "embodies a deeper meaning. Shalom is active, with parties working to find common ground, maintain relationships, and live fulfilling lives."

As BTL staff, we believe this word perfectly describes what the Bridges To Life program offers our participants, our volunteers, and ourselves. Shalom!

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