From Incarcerated to Innovator: Transforming Lives Behind Bars | Nick Robbins | Behind and Beyond the Bars

In this episode of Behind and Beyond the Bars, Jeff Shafer sits down with Nick Robbins, CEO of Returning Home, to discuss his remarkable journey from incarcerated to prison reform innovator. Nick shares how faith, mentorship, and personal transformation shaped his life and how he is now helping incarcerated men break cycles of addiction, homelessness, and recidivism through a groundbreaking approach to rehabilitation, reentry, and restorative justice. Learn More: https://www.returninghomenwa.com WATCH: https://youtu.be/4FshJcrL2VM TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 01:01 Launching a New Approach to Jail 04:32 Challenging Traditional Corrections 09:32 A Different Jail Experience 13:44 Preparing for Opportunities Post-Release 17:00 Community Partnerships & Volunteer Support 21:00 Promoting Accountability & Peer Leadership 25:10 Nick's Personal Journey & Prison Years 33:44 Transformation Through Faith 39:00 Redemption, Hard Work & Facing Resistance 44:34 Overcoming Challenges & Staying Driven 46:15 Future Dreams & Humble Ambitions 48:20 Closing Remarks & Takeaways #prisonministry #correctionalministry #prisonreform #criminaljusticereform #reentry #rehabilitation #recidivism #secondchances #faithbasedrecovery #jailministry #prisontransformation #restorativejustice #redemption #incarceration #behindandbeyondthebars --- Are you in correctional ministries or have been curious about serving and don’t know where to start? Correctional ministries, one of the most important ministries of our times- is about bringing hope, dignity, and transformation to men and women impacted by incarceration, their families, and the communities they return to. This podcast exists to equip, encourage, and connect those called to this work, so their ministry flows from compassion, wisdom, and lived faith. Join Jeff Shafer as he explores what it means to serve in one of the most rewarding and challenging ministries, through honest conversations and stories of transformation - helping to equip those who are called for restoration of lives and educating others in their role in redemption, and second chances. --- FOLLOW ➡️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cmcaintl ➡️ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CMCAInternational ➡️ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/correctional-ministries-and-chaplains-association-565777125 --- Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association (CMCA) is a professional organization, founded in May 2011, through which Christians can celebrate their faith and passion for correctional ministry with other individuals, organizations, and churches. © 2026 Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association. Affiliated with the Correctional Ministries Institute of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.