Evaluation of Florida's Faith- and Character- Based Institutions (original) (raw)
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In Pamela Joshi, Stephanie Hawkins, and Jeffrey Novey (eds.) Innovations in Effective Compassion: Compendium of Research Papers Presented at the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conference on Research, Outcomes, and Evaluation. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services., 2008
As the popularity of faith-based programs has grown across the country, the criminal justice field has witnessed the development of numerous faith-based initiatives aimed at rehabilitating and supporting incarcerated people and those returning from prison and jail. The corrections system in the United States has increasingly welcomed partnerships with faith-based and communitybased organizations, and churches and other religious institutions have formalized their longstanding role as a major source of community support for returning prisoners (Bright & Embracing this trend, in 2003, Florida became the first state in the country to dedicate an entire publicly run correctional facility to a faith-based model. Currently, Florida operates three Faithand Character-Based Institutions (FCBIs): Lawtey, a medium-and minimum-security male facility that houses 815 inmates; Hillsborough, a facility that houses 271 female inmates of all security classifications; and Wakulla, a maximum-security facility housing 1,741 male inmates (Florida Department of Corrections [FDOC], 2008b).
2010
This paper examined the usefulness of jail reentry programs as an alternative towards increased jail and prison costs. Policy issues for returning inmates could and often did include future employment prospects, housing and public safety. Prisoner reentry programs generally fell into two broad categories; faith and non-faith based. Generally, non-faith programs were conducted in jail or prison while the individual was incarcerated for an extended period of time.Non-faith type programs involved classes on anger management, G.E.D. attainment, college credits, or alcohol or drug abuse therapy. Faith based programs were generally Christian based, although they usually did not discriminate against other individuals of different religions joining their program. Faith based programs were usually conducted outside of the jail/prison environment. However, a few jails and prisons did keep Bible or religious wings
2005
The current research investigates the faith, sociodemographic, psychological, and criminal history factors associated with the decision to volunteer for a faith-based program. Operational records were combined with data collected from self-administered surveys. The results of the logistic regression model were successful in identifying factors related to program participation, including factors not included in previous studies. The findings suggest that program participants are motivated to make changes in their lives and are seeking their way in a religious sense. For example, program participants scored higher on average on the motivation for change scale used here, had higher rates of attendance in religious services since incarceration, and were more active in reading sacred scripture. Conversely, inmates who claimed higher levels of knowledge about their faith were less likely to participate in the Life Connections Program examined here.
The effect of faith program participation on prison misconduct: The Life Connections Program
Journal of Criminal Justice, 2008
Faith-based programming is one of many potential tools for preparing inmates for successful reentry into society. The current study used official records of inmate misconduct and attitudinal survey data to investigate whether participation in a faith-based program reduced the likelihood of prison misconduct. The results indicated that program participation did lower the probability of engaging in serious forms of misconduct. No effect was discovered, though, for less serious forms of misconduct or for both types of misconduct considered simultaneously.
Estimating the Benefits of a Faith-Based Correctional Program
International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, 2013
A recent outcome evaluation of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative (InnerChange), a faith-based prisoner reentry program that has operated within Minnesota's prison system since 2002, showed the program is effective in lowering recidivism. This study extends research on InnerChange by conducting a cost-benefit analysis of the program. Because InnerChange relies heavily on volunteers and program costs are privately funded, the program exacts no additional costs to the State of Minnesota. As a result, this study focused on estimating the program's benefits by examining recidivism and post-release employment. The findings showed that during its first six years of operation in Minnesota, InnerChange produced an estimated benefit of 3million,whichamountstonearly3 million, which amounts to nearly 3million,whichamountstonearly8,300 per participant. Much of this benefit stems from costs avoided as a result of the program's impact on reoffending.
The prison seminary movement and the impact of faith-based programmes
Open Access Government, 2023
share key challenges affecting America's prison system, the prison seminary movement and the positive impact that faith-based programmes can have Early correctional practices in the US were more collaborative than those used in today's prisons. They combined state resources with philanthropic, religious, and civic assets to manage better and foster offender rehabilitation. The overarching goal was rather basicincentivise future good behaviours, not simply punish former bad ones.
1996
Purpose: In an effort to reduce recidivism among Kent County ex-offenders, Central Bible Ministries of Michigan proposes an ex-offender rehabilitation program under which to coordinate a coalition of existing Kent County organizations established to meet the aftercare and rehabilitative needs of area ex-offenders. This research centers upon exploring the causes of recidivism and determining the sociological ramifications of imprisonment on the ex-offender and his/her family. Results will identify the needs of ex-offenders upon re-entering the societal mainstream and examine what resources are available in the Kent County area to meet those needs. Nature of the Problem: Between 1980 and 1993 the national inmate population rose 187%. In 1993, 80% of state prisoners were recidivists. In 1991, 36,423 male and female inmates were released from Michigan State and federal prisons. If the Bureau of Justice Statistics projections held true 28,410 of them returned to prison for other offenses...