GENESIS ONE believes in the second chance as do hundreds of hard-working individuals across the State of Oklahoma who currently act as volunteers and mentors, both in and out of our prisons.

Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation for incarceration of males and is first in the world for the incarceration of females. Compounding the problem, statistics show that between 20% to 40% of ex-offenders recidivate (return to prison) within three years of their release and approximately half of that number return within the first six months. The negative impact of recidivism on society and already wounded families is enormous.

What if there was a way to mend the hearts and minds of the incarcerated ... to equip them to obtain and keep jobs ... to draw their families into a godly and positive relationship after they have been released? Would that be worth the effort? Or are they undeserving of God and man's grace and support?

The GENESIS ONE (G-1) NETWORK was established to work in conjunction with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to break this destructive cycle. We believe in the second chance as do hundreds of hard-working individuals across the State who currently act as volunteers and mentors, both in and out of our prisons. Our vision is to reduce failure and increase opportunities so that offenders may successfully and effectively assimilate into society as productive law-abiding citizens. This is done through both pre- and post-release programs.

GENESIS ONE is a Christian, faith-based organization whose chapter membership is open to any offender regardless of race, age, gender, or religious preference. However, that offender must accept God into his or her life before continuing in the program. GENESIS ONE believes that:

Without God This Program Will Be Of No Value

Since its inception in 2001, GENESIS ONE has had over 2000 graduates re-enter society. With a recidivism rate of 17%, or only 340 repeat offenders, this is an estimated annual savings to the State of Oklahoma of between $5-6 million dollars. In addition, when ex-offenders return home and families are removed from the state's welfare rolls, the savings is incalculable. Thus far, more than 700 GENESIS ONE mothers have been reunited with their children and families, and successfully reentered society with a new hope born of faith in God and a positive attitude toward life.