One former member of the Manson Family spent some time Tuesday in the Coconino County Jail in Flagstaff -- but not as an inmate.

Dennis Rice, convicted of armed robbery in 1971 in connection with his affiliation with the Manson Family, has been serving Jesus Christ since being released from prison by going back into prisons and bringing inmates the word of God.

Rice was invited by Coconino County Jail Chaplain Mike Hjalmarson to speak with the inmates this week as part of the jail's efforts to keep inmates from returning to incarceration (see related story). During the course of his jail tour, Rice spoke with inmates in groups and one-on-one.

"There is hope," Rice says. "Even for the worst of people. I rejoice in every soul that's saved and thank God for the opportunity to be used for that purpose."

He works through his ministry, called Free Indeed Ministries, a nonprofit organization based in Tempe. The ministry is supported by private donations. Rice also works with a variety of prison ministries.

"We go into prisons all around the world and talk to people about how they might change their lives," Rice says.

Rice says he speaks at approximately 150 prisons a year throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Africa. It is a full-time job.

"The ones facing serious prison time are more open," Rice says of the inmates to whom he speaks. "It's easier to talk with people who are reaping the rewards of their sins than it is to talk to people getting by. They're ready to listen."

SEEKING PERMANENT REFORM

What does he say?

"I share with them my experience, ask what their experience has been and share the gospel," Rice says.

Hjalmarson says Rice's reception at the jail was positive.

"He was very well received," Hjalmarson says.

"We'll see people come out of prison different than they went in," Rice says.

He says that approximately 70 percent to 80 percent of people sent to prison will return to prison. But, he says those prisoners who make the commitment to religion reduces repeat offenses to 32 percent. And if inmates who have found God immerse themselves in local churches upon release, recidivism goes down to approximately 10 percent.

"We don't want them coming back to our streets the same way they went in, or worse," Rice says.

REBEL LOOKING FOR A CAUSE

Rice's journey to where he is in life now began as a teen. He was full of rebellion. First against his parents and his school, then later as he became an adult, against society and the government.

"I'm still a revolutionary today," Rice says. "But now I have the answer."

The 1960s were a rebellious period in American history, and Rice says the state of the country at the time adds a context to his sense of rebellion.

"We had the dream, the hope we could save the world," Rice says. "And we were naive enough to do it."

The music of the time reflected the message, and the culture of drugs surrounding the rebellion opened the door to "all kinds of things," positive and negative.

HOOKING UP WITH MANSON

Rice became involved with the Manson family in 1970, a year after the grisly killings.

He took part in an armed robbery of an Army surplus store on Aug. 21, 1971, with four other Manson Family members. The purpose of the robbery reported in newspapers was to steal a jet plane and ransom the Manson Family members on Death Row, particularly Charles, out of prison.

Rice says an additional intent of the robbery was to take the Los Angeles County Jail by force.

"I didn't believe in the death penalty," Rice says of his reason for being involved in the robbery and plan to spring Manson and the other family members.

Los Angeles police interrupted the robbery, and a gun battle broke out. Rice was arrested. Nearly 200 weapons taken by the members from the store were seized by police.

Rice was convicted and spent the next seven years in prison.

SEEING THE LIGHT

"I was Christian when I was released (in 1978)," Rice says. "I could see that God had a plan in my life -- to reach young people before they reach Charlie."

Rice says his conversion came as a result of seeing signs in the light of the word of God. Before that, he had always justified his sins -- saying God made him the way he was, so why feel bad for it.

"But in that prison cell, I felt the forgiveness of God and his love for me," Rice says.

"The most effective people to speak to convicts are ex-cons," Hjalmarson says. "They've 'been there, done that.' They are actually living proof (of a life after prison)."

Rice's next stop will be Lewis Prison in Buckeye.