• Connecticut currently has 17,600+ inmates in 17 prisons (FY 2010)
• Connecticut spends over $700 million per year or $92 per day for each inmate
• Nearly 85% of inmates have drug and/or alcohol addictions or mental health issues
• 47% of inmates are African-American vs. 9% of Connecticut's population
• Recidivism is very high, e.g., >60% for addicted within two years of release

MPVCT, a sponsored work of the Order of Malta, seeks transformation and reconciliation of the imprisoned by affirming the God-given dignity of each inmate and ex-offender and stressing that his or her life matters. We provide support to the incarcerated to help them lead faith-focused and productive lives through visitation and instruction. We also strive to raise public awareness to the spiritual and material needs of the imprisoned, as they begin the process of transitioning back into the community.

• Recruit and train volunteers to visit the incarcerated
• Provide religious instruction: RCIA, Bible study and Sacramental preparation
• Facilitate prayer groups and faith-based programs and seminars
• Outreach to Church leaders and groups for their assistance in ministering to the imprisoned and the reintegration of ex-offenders into the faith and economic community
• Serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

• Train volunteers to encourage employers to hire qualified ex-offenders
• Enlist employers who will consider hiring qualified ex-offenders
• Facilitate connections between social service agencies, ex-offenders and prospective employers

• Distribute Order of Malta Catholic Bibles and Prayer Books to Catholic inmates
• Distribute rosaries and other religious articles to Catholic inmates
• Obtain books from local library sales and parishes and deliver to prison libraries

• Meet with Business, Civic and Church groups to advocate for criminal justice reforms
• Work with State Legislators to pass criminal justice reform legislation
• Write/speak about the societal benefits of transformation, reconciliation and reintegration of the formerly imprisoned into the community