For 20 years I have been watching the slow but steady development of Faith & Character Based Dorms in jails and prisons around America. I am firmly convinced that in time, these dorms will change the accepted prison management strategy. If you were to study current corporate management strategies, you would find that current prison management is the most ineffective method possible. Keeping a person in the "child role" for years and then one day opening the door to society and instructing the prisoner to go and be a good man or good woman makes no sense at all. -- Emmett Solomon
The Changing Prison Environment
Only recently have corrections officials nationally begun coupling traditional security goals with preparing inmates to lead productive, law-abiding lives after release. Some of these rehabilitation efforts rely upon faith, spirituality, and character development; most are directed at inmates within a specific unit of a facility. The Urban Institute out of Washington DC recently completed a study of two Faith and Character- Based Institutions (FCBI) which are part of the Florida Department of Corrections. On Christmas Eve 2003, Florida introduced the first state-run prison dedicated entirely to a faith- and character-based model. The FCBI's many religious and character-focused activities set these facilities apart from standard Florida prisons. The goals are 1)to promote a safer prison environment, 2)to rehabilitate inmates, and 3)to reduce recidivism by helping prisoners build moral character, develop spiritual resources, and acquire life skills for use behind bars and after release. The programs are strictly voluntary and include explicitly religious activities, such as worship services and scriptural study, personal relationship building through mentoring and small-group activities, and character development programs on parenting and anger management. The programs are entirely funded and run by community volunteers.
The findings of the study were cautiously optimistic. Notably, the staff, the inmates and the volunteers all overwhelmingly believe the FCBI model is 1)improving inmate behavior, and 2)preparing inmates for successful reentry. They also believe that participation in the FCBI program promotes the reunification of the inmates with their families and enhances their prospect of employment after release. They also believe that volunteers save the state money and provide more effective and dynamic services than the state can offer.
For a more complete copy of the study report go to: