Fr. John Vogler played a pivotal role in the early development of Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM), serving as the first full-time chaplain at both the St. Louis City Jail and the St. Louis County Correctional Institution in the 1970s. His leadership helped lay the foundation for a coordinated jail ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Our Story
Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM) was established in 1979 as a program of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) to coordinate jail ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Rooted in Vincentian principles of service and compassion, CJM initially focused on personal visits to incarcerated individuals. Over time, it expanded to include education, advocacy, and reentry support for returning citizens.
Recognizing the critical need for housing, CJM launched Release to Rent in 2003, providing stable housing for formerly incarcerated individuals. In 2013, CJM became an independent nonprofit while remaining affiliated with the Archdiocese.
Sister Carleen Reck, SSND, became CJM’s third director and was instrumental in expanding the organization’s reentry services. In 2003, she launched Release to Rent, CJM’s first supportive housing program, based on the principles of housing first, scattered housing, and harm reduction. Her vision and advocacy helped shape CJM’s long-term commitment to assisting returning citizens. CJM remains committed to person-centered service and restorative justice.
Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides immediate, safe, and affordable housing to more than 100 returning citizens each year. Our scattered-site housing model spans across St. Louis City, combining 52 CJM-owned units with additional apartments secured through trusted landlord partnerships. In total, CJM oversees 92 independent housing units annually. We are proud to champion long-term, sustainable housing solutions—empowering clients to assume their own leases upon successful completion of the program and supporting their transition to independent living.
CJM is committed to expanding housing opportunities for individuals releasing from prison—creating a vital safety net that promotes stability and advancing equity for all members of our community. We are refining our housing model to include more quality units, evidence-based life skills programs, and strong community partnerships, with the goal of achieving a best-in-class approach to housing reentering citizens.