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21 images43.3 percent. This is the average recidivism rate in the United States according to a recent Pew Center study. While there are a myriad of reasons why former inmates re-offend or violate the terms of their parole, the the more pertinent question to ask is: “What drives ex-convicts to not return to the prison system?” "ReFormed" is the story of three former inmates living in Salt Lake City, UT, who, through the strength of their spiritual convictions, escaped from the darkness of incarceration. With a Mormon population of nearly two-thirds, the state of Utah serves as a unique example of where faith and a deep spiritual connection can make all the difference—driving these three towards new lives. -
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7 imagesOn Thursday, other members of the media and I were given the rare opportunity to fly aboard a KC-135R Stratotanker in Spokane tasked with the mission to refuel the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds en route to Fairchild Air Force Base. As we strapped into the nylon mesh seating, crew members moved about the cramped fuselage with a sense of purpose and calm composure prior to the precise operation about to be undertaken. With close communication between the pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator, over the deafening roar of the jet's engines, the KC-135R's crew delivered the necessary fuel to allow the red, white and blue adorned F-16s to carry on to their final destination. The Thunderbirds, executing the aerial refueling maneuvers with grace and efficiency, were filled up in a matter of minutes flying at 30,000 feet over Washington and proceeded to perform reconnaissance exercises in the area. The Thunderbirds, along with numerous other planes will be in action on Saturday and Sunday's Skyfest 2010 at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. After a rocky, turbulent approach to the runway, the KC-135R finally came to a halt on the hot tarmac. Pilot Maj. Craig Gural bid farewell to the 20 photographers, videographers and reporters aboard the plane and began to debrief with his three-man crew. Another successful mission in the books. -
12 imagesAs the sun settles below the Iowa horizon, while many people are grabbing a seat around the TV, a small subset of individuals begins their tiresome, yet necessary job of harvesting the crops our society has come to depend on. This is the story of one of these "midnight harvesters." -
6 images"A Catholic in København" is the exploration into the ritual facets of Daniel Nørgaard, a Catholic priest at the Sankt Ansgars Kirke near the Østerbro neighborhood of Copenhagen. The church is named after the patron saint of Denmark, Saint Ansgar, who was a missionary to Northern Europe around the middle of the 9th century. Nørgaard is the second-priest under Pastor Niels Engelbrecht, but due to health reasons, Nørgaard has been conducting many of the recent masses. Even as the overwhelming population of Denmark is Lutheran, Sankt Ansgars Kirke still draws a large crowd of all ages to Sunday morning mass. Daniel, younger than most priests, makes numerous efforts to connect with the congregation by individually greeting and shaking hands with everyone as they are leaving the church. Additionally, Daniel is deeply involved in youth groups at St. Ansgars helping to educate the young people in his congregation. Recognizing that those that do attend Catholic mass in Copenhagen are viewed as an overwhelming minority, Nørgaard, motivated by his personal desire to create an inclusive profound community, helps to create a united congregation. Even though the Catholic community in Copenhagen comprises only about 1% of the population, Nørgaard still shows a strong devotion to his religion and practice of his faith. -
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