Books

Grace Goes to Prison: An Inspiring Story of Hope and Humanity

In 1975, a 37 year-old homemaker and former Avon lady named Marie Hamilton started visiting a group of prison inmates with one simple idea: to look for and affirm the good in them. In the 30 years that followed, she expanded that vision, creating unique programs to educate, empower and support inmates to be successful when paroled. Her volunteer work has challenged conventional wisdom about how to deal with criminals. She’s had no formal education in criminal justice, she isn’t part of the “system,” yet her programs have become an integral part of Pennsylvania’s prison system.

Discover how this unassuming woman touched the lives of thousands by tearing down walls of mistrust, bringing respect and humanity to people on both sides of prison bars.

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Speaking Engagements

During the first half of 2010, I had an amazing opportunity to do a national speaking tour for Grace Goes to Prison. For 74 days, I traveled across the United States, and had 40 speaking engagements in 30 cities in 16 states. I spoke at colleges and universities, at churches of many denominations, at libraries and bookstores, at retirement communities and other venues. It would be impossible to sum up that experience in just a few words (or even paragraphs) here. But if you’d like to know more about that experience, check out the following:

List of previous speaking engagements

Since my return from the national tour, I continue to speak to audiences locally and regionally (and yes, I’ll be doing more cross-country travel later this year – to Oregon, Idaho and elsewhere).

See the calendar below for dates and locations of upcoming speaking events.

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Reviews and endorsements for Grace Goes to Prison:

“Covering a span of more than thirty years, these true stories range from harrowing to hopeful to incredible. Marie Hamilton, a volunteer without formal criminal justice training, fearlessly confronted Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system, and dared to love its fiercest inmates. She developed unique educational, support, and restorative justice programs which frequently managed to change both sides’ hardened attitudes. Readers are likely to find their own long-held beliefs challenged as well, by Melanie Snyder’s amazing book. ‘Grace,’ surely one of our loveliest words, is displayed on every page.”
~ Diane Scott, co-writer with Millard Fuller on Bokotola, Love in the Mortar Joints and No More Shacks!

“This powerful story shows how persistent compassion melts cold hearts and reconciles enemies…. even behind bars. An excellent resource for study and discussion.”
~ Donald B. Kraybill, Co-author Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy

“I had heard of Marie’s work long before I met her: the prison unit that didn’t blow up during riots because of her nonviolence training program for inmates, her courage and compassion in working with people in prison. Now her inspiring story from small-town girl to justice advocate has been told, and told well. It needs to be heard.”
~ Dr. Howard Zehr, Professor of Restorative Justice, Eastern Mennonite University

“One of the men Marie worked with wrote “she was like an ear for the silent screams of men…and a voice for many who had never been heard.” He no doubt spoke for many others who have had the privilege of being involved with Marie’s work. Her generosity of spirit and genuine love for all fellow human beings is a model to which all of us should aspire. The story of her dedication over the past 30 years is extremely compelling and a definite must-read.”
~ Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, Co-Director, Mennonite Central Committee Office on Justice and Peacebuilding

“Grace Goes to Prison is a story of relentless compassion. The reader sees the clanging, numbing world of prison life through the eyes of a woman whose determination, resourcefulness, and fearless love won the trust of hardened prisoners and prison administrators alike. This is a story of one who sees each new problem as an opportunity, of a blessed community of volunteers, and of God’s faithful provision.”
~ Bob Gross, Executive Director, On Earth Peace

“This is an inspiring and engaging book. Slow and steady – always clear about her guiding vision – deeply rooted in love and respect for all – always working in partnerships – Marie follows the path that unfolds in front of her. She is a leader without any authority. She influences lives without any structural power. What a lesson about how to make change! Marie created spaces for connection, belonging and meaning for people on both sides of the prison bars. This is the story of an ordinary human being touching the lives of countless others through deep and abiding love. It is a moving story and it is a reminder of the capacity we all have to influence the lives of others.”
~ Kay Pranis, former Restorative Justice Planner for the Minnesota Department of Corrections and co-author of Peacemaking Circles: From Crime to Community

Other press for Grace Goes to Prison:

Bonuses and Extra Info

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Restorative Justice and Victim Offender Mediation Links

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To order copies of Grace Goes to Prison, contact Brethren Press via phone: 1.800.441.3712 or via the Brethren Press website

You can now also order the book through Amazon

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About the Author
Melanie G. Snyder is a restorative justice mediator, teacher and writer who works with a coalition of governmental, social service and faith-based organizations focused on reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for incarcerated persons as they re-enter the community after prison. She is on the adjunct faculty at Elizabethtown College, and is frequently a guest speaker at colleges, civic groups, churches and other venues across the United States, on subjects including restorative justice, criminal justice, offender re-entry, families and children of offenders, and related topics. Her non-fiction articles have appeared in more than 50 publications across North America. Grace Goes to Prison is her first book.

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http://melaniegsnyder.com/images/book_promotion_1_pager_book_talk_flier_Grace_Goes_to_Prison_brief_version2.doc

http://melaniegsnyder.com/images/book_promotion_1_pager_book_talk_flier_Grace_Goes_to_Prison_brief_version2.pdf

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Previous Speaking Engagements and Events related to Grace Goes to Prison and restorative justice:

8/8/2010 – Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA
8/1/2010 – Mohn’s Hill Evangelical Congregational Church, Sinking Spring, PA
7/4/2010 – National Conference – Church of the Brethren, Pittsburgh, PA
6/27/2010 – Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA
6/11/2010 – Lutheran Synod Assembly – Lower Susquehanna, Grantham, PA
6/4/2010 – Camp Blue Diamond, Petersburg, PA
5/30/2010 – Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, Elizabethtown, PA
5/19/2010 – Aaron’s Books, Lititz, PA
5/17/2010 – Fluvanna League of Women Voters, Lake Monticello, VA
5/6/2010 – Retirement Living Association, Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA
5/5/2010 – Milanof-Schock Library, Mount Joy, PA
4/25/2010 – Cincinnati Church of the Brethren, Cincinnati, OH
4/24/2010 – Peace Churches of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
4/20/2010 – Timbercrest Senior Living, North Manchester, IN
4/19/2010 – Manchester College, North Manchester, IN (multiple audiences)
4/18/2010 – Wabash Church of the Brethren, Wabash, IN
4/18/2010 – Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Fort Wayne, IN
4/17/2010 – Center for Nonviolence, Fort Wayne, IN
4/14/2010 – Church of the Brethren General Office, Elgin, IL
4/11/2010 – Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, IL
4/10/2010 – Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
4/9/2010 – Columbia Correctional Institution, Portage, WI
4/8/2010 – First Congregational United Church of Christ, Madison, WI
3/28/2010 – Warrensburg Church of the Brethren, Warrensburg, MO
3/25/2010 – The Cedars Retirement Community, McPherson, KS
3/21/2010 – Circle of Peace Church of the Brethren, Peoria, AZ
3/20/2010 – Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren, Scottsdale, AZ
3/15/2010 – Outcomes, Inc, Albuquerque, NM
3/8/2010 – Cabool Church of the Brethren, Cabool, MO
3/1/2010 – First Congregational United Church of Christ, Asheville, NC
2/28/2010 – Blue Ridge Osondu Booksellers, Waynesville, NC
2/28/2010 – First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC
2/27/2010 – Unitarian Universalist Church, Charlotte, NC
2/26/2010 – Providence Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, SC
2/24/2010 – Trinity United Methodist Church, Myrtle Beach, SC
2/23/2010 – Campbell University School of Law, Raleigh, NC
2/22/2010 – Guilford College, Greensboro, NC
2/22/2010 – Conflict Resolution Center, Roanoke, VA
2/20/2010 – Earth & Tea Café, Harrisonburg, VA
2/18/2010 – St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Charlottesville, VA
2/18/2010 – Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA (multiple audiences)
2/16/2010 – Westminster Ridge Retirement Community, Westminster, MD
2/7/2010 – Lititz Church of the Brethren, Lititz, PA
2/2/2010 – Hempfield Rotary Club, Lancaster, PA
2/2/2010 – Pennsylvania Council of Churches, Harrisburg, PA
2/1/2010 – Homestead Village, Lancaster, PA
1/31/2010 – New Covenant Church of the Brethren, Gotha, FL
1/28/2010 – Brethren Volunteer Service, Camp Ithiel, Gotha, FL
1/7/2010 – United Methodist Women, Elizabethtown, PA
1/6/2010 – Kiwanis Club, Mount Joy, PA
1/4/2010 – Book Club – Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, Elizabethtown, PA 12/10/2009 – Workforce Investment Board Workforce Summit, Lancaster, PA
11/14/2009 – Progressive Brethren Gathering, Elizabethtown, PA
11/11/2009 – Book Club – Charlottesville, VA
11/11/2009 – Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA (multiple audiences)
11/9/2009 – St Mark Lutheran Church, Charlottesville, VA
11/8/2009 – Friends Meeting, Charlottesville, VA
11/8/2009 – Valley Friends Meeting, Dayton, VA
11/5/2009 – Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA (multiple audiences)
10/29/2009 – Elizabethtown Public Library, Elizabethtown, PA
10/22/2009 – Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA
10/17/2009 – Elizabethtown College Alumni Peace Fellowship, Elizabethtown, PA
10/16/2009 – CentrePeace, Bellefonte, PA
10/16/2009 – Schlow Library, State College, PA
10/10/2009 – Ebenezer United Church of Christ, New Tripoli, PA
9/23/2009 – Grace Goes to Prison is officially released
9/23/2009 – Brethren Volunteer Service, New Windsor, MD
9/10/2009 – National Older Adult Conference, Lake Junaluska, NC
8/18/2009 – District Women’s Fellowship, Camp Swatara, Bethel, PA
6/29/2009 – National Conference – Church of the Brethren, San Diego, CA
5/17/2009 – Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, Elizabethtown, PA