Thirteen years ago, our founder and director, Ron Patarello, prayed at the Prodigal Son statue at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, seeking a mission. Accountability Brothers emerged from that prayer. Here at Accountability Brothers, we strive to empty jails and fill churches, one man at a time.
Our organization equips reentering individuals with the necessary tools to construct a foundation for a successful life. Through a community-centered approach, we break the cycle of recidivism, offering individuals a profound sense of belonging.
Who We Are
A short video of Ron Patarello, our founder and director.
Bob Baeyens
Rosie Griggs
Ron Patarello
Board of Directors
Ron Patarello - Founder/Director
Lawrence Lambert - Administrative Manager
Kip and Erin Anderson - Directors of Correspondence
Administrative Staff
What We Do
At Accountability Brothers, we're dedicated to transforming the narrative surrounding jail reentry programs. We recognize that the traditional approaches have often fallen short in addressing the complex needs of individuals reintegrating into society after incarceration. That's why we've pioneered a community-focused methodology that veers away from the one-size-fits-all approach.
Our philosophy is simple yet profound: by fostering a sense of community and belonging, we empower reentering men to embrace positive change and build fulfilling lives beyond the confines of the criminal justice system. We understand that each individual's journey is unique, so we offer tailored support that aligns with their personal beliefs and aspirations, whether it's through connections with local churches, participation in AA/NA meetings, or any other avenues they find meaningful.
The results speak for themselves. Our innovative reentry model has consistently demonstrated higher rates of success, with tangible outcomes such as reduced recidivism, increased job retention, and enhanced overall satisfaction among participants. By addressing the root causes of incarceration and providing comprehensive support, we pave the way for long-term rehabilitation and societal reintegration.
One cornerstone of our program is housing assistance. We understand that stable housing is foundational to a successful reentry process, so we provide transitional housing options for men post-release, ensuring they have a safe and supportive environment to begin rebuilding their lives. Additionally, we offer essential resources such as access to basic necessities, including clothing, toiletries, and transportation assistance, to alleviate the immediate challenges of adjusting to life outside of prison walls.
If you or someone you know is navigating the complexities of reentry, we're here to help. Visit our "Reentry Help" page, located under the "Seek Help" dropdown menu on our website, where you'll find information to guide you through the process. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to us via email or phone, and our dedicated team will be more than happy to assist you on your journey to a brighter future.
Join us at Accountability Brothers as we redefine reentry and empower individuals to rewrite their stories of resilience, redemption, and hope. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
They call him Pastor Ron
When most people retire, they plan cruises and play canasta. When Ron Patarello retired, he responded to a charge to “find need and fill it” and decided to take on the social problem of jail recidivism and started Accountability Brothers.
Having worked in crisis intervention and case management for the Health Care Agency at the Orange County Jail, Ron Patarello understood the cycle of recidivism. Men, most of whom grew up with no male role model, were in pain. They used drugs to obliterate the pain and then got into criminal activities to support the drug habit.
When they got out of jail - having nothing and needing everything - they encountered the drug dealers that were waiting for them. Also, the help that did exist was fragmented and was difficult to access. Thus, six of ten convicted felons have returned to prison within 3 years of release.
Patarello knew there had to be a better way. He wanted to shift the paradigm of help by reaching out to incarcerated men and offering mentoring and compassion to those willing to change. Based on role-modeling and spiritual development, the outreach - Accountability Brothers - would provide a support network of individualized assistance to facilitate self-sufficiency.
Using a person-centered approach focusing on acceptance, affirmation, accountability and acknowledgement, Accountability Brothers integrates the spirit, soul and body with each individual. Then, using resources that already exist, the organization helps the men with shelter, food, clothing, employment, transportation and a phone. To succeed men must demonstrate accountability through honesty, authenticity and demonstration of a higher moral code.
Patarello and his team become the model most of these men never had, reaching a part of their soul that has rarely been nurtured. Accountability Brothers utilizes local churches that pastors them. While not condoning the crimes, Accountability Brothers gives people a compassionate alternative.
According to Patarello, the men he encounters have had their childhood stolen. They build a wall to protect their hurting hearts, and Accountability Brothers scales the wall by listening, connecting and trying to create a new normal. The men have a black hole in their lives and respond to church services, twelve step meetings, community barbecues, ball games and contact with animals who give unconditional love. Eventually, the men become “brothers” and clamor to help Patarello and others, serving others as they have been served.
Patarello has made connections in the community to accommodate all the men’s physical needs, gradually getting them to self-sufficiency. He claims to be able to facilitate that process and get them to that point for about 750$ per man.
The crux of the matter is that the men have to want to make changes in their lives. In five years, Patarello has worked with more than 300 men, teaching them everything from how to get around by bus, to how to present themselves at job interviews, taking them to medical appointments, creating social opportunities for them and developing and environment of love rather than fear. In five years, Accountability Brothers has worked with more than 300 men and can identify at least 50 successes of men that have not returned to jail.
Patarello says that Accountability Brothers, which he describes as an adult-based version of Big Brothers, is the most rewarding think he has ever done. Not only has he given a new lease on life to the men he encountered; he has enriched the community by doing so.