Ross to head religious committee for state corrections department

Greater Phoenix Jewish News/March 12, 1986

Rick Ross, coordinator for the Jewish Prisoner Program of Jewish Family and Children's Services has been elected chairman of the religious advisory committee of the Arizona Department of Corrections.

According to JFCS public relations director Ellie Schwartzberg, this is the first time the committee has elected a Jewish chairman.

The committee, established in 1980, is composed of 30 denominational leaders state-wide and acts as a liaison between Arizona's religious community and the Department of Corrections. As committee chairman, Ross says he plans increased ecumenical involvement in the prison system which he believes is a factor in enhancing prisoner rehabilitation and decreasing recidivism.

Besides expanding dialogue within the state, Ross is involved nationally in promoting increased communication among the various agencies, organizations and individuals pursuing outreach to incarcerated Jews. He will attend the first National Conference on Service to Jews in Prisons, April 7-9 in Washington, DC, sponsored by B'nai B'rith International. A member of the conference advisory board, Ross will lead a workshop on "Developing Resources."

Says Ross of the upcoming meeting, "The conference will provide opportunities to form networks and explore ways to work together."