Iowa Renews Contract of Faith-Based Prisoner Rehabilitation Program
DeMoss News pond
http://www.openheaven.com/page_content/images/Prisoners.jpgNEWTON, IA - Despite a lengthy legal battle, the state of Iowa has renewed the contract of the privately funded InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI), an effective, voluntary faith-based program that operates in the Iowa Department of Corrections' Newton Correctional Facility. The battle is being waged by those attempting to handcuff private, faith-based programs that are responding to state corrections officials' requests for alternative prisoner rehabilitation programs.

"We are delighted that the governor and the Department of Corrections have agreed to extend this powerful program for reducing recidivism for the third and final year of its contract," said Prison Fellowship President and former Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley, whose organization launched the IFI program nearly a decade ago. "We look forward to continuing to work with the DOC toward the goal of enhancing public safety - for the benefit of all the citizens of Iowa."

Adding to the mounting body of evidence that programs like IFI are effective, the Iowa Department of Management has just released a report that found that IFI was ranked the most successful in reducing total recidivism of the Iowa Department of Corrections' 17 programs treating substance abuse. Nine of 10 Iowa offenders have a history of alcohol or drug problems and are at high risk to re-offend if not treated.

"In a era of evidence-based government, this independent evaluation by the state of Iowa provides important empirical evidence that faith-based programs like IFI can be effective in lowering recidivism rates," said Byron Johnson, professor of sociology and co-director of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, whose preliminary study of the Texas IFI program published in 2003 while at the University of Pennsylvania, found that IFI graduates were significantly less likely to be re-incarcerated than matched comparison groups. "While the recent research on the effectiveness of faith-based programs is just beginning to emerge, there are hundreds of published studies showing the importance of religion and spirituality in reducing crime, delinquency, alcohol abuse, drug use, and other social ills."

http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=16970&PN=1&TPN=1

People need something to believe in if they're going to live a productive life. If they find it in religion, more power to them.

Sorry to hear that this program is running into problems. As a privately-funded program which I presume only deals with inmates who request its services, the prison should know a good thing when they've got it.

Many people end up in prison in part from a lack of sense of self-worth (a very common factor in drugs and alcohol addictions as well). Prison certainly does nothing to try to restore or reinforce whatever self-esteem an inmate may have--quite the opposite, really. So my hat's off to anyone working to help incarcerated feel better about themselves and their place in the world. Hopefully the state of Iowa will "get it" as well.

If it helped keep even one person out of jail, it would still be of benefit.

I wish they had this in all prisons. Did they not start a program a few years back? I read that they had some kind of program in some states and it had reduced the crime. That the people who took part in it went back to there cells and people were getting along.

I agree boflipflops. I think it would be no-brainer. But it requires dedicated people who are willing to commit themselves to helping others without reward.

But we can all do something and do our part to help those on the inside or to an affected family member with something as simple as a letter or card or a visit to show we do care.

pmitch, I agree, that why i am standing in the gap, for a brother now a grandson to give them support thru letters or phone calls. Maybe a few dollars to let them no there not forgotten I would love to no if anyone has a update on this subject if its spreading to other prisons.

Sure there are going to be some bad apples in the barrel but,
I beleive in the faith based dorms..They have a lot to offer and to teach...I can only see good that can come out of them.., may they get to the root of all evil and continue to change inmates lives..
God Bless, direct, and guide them all to a better life. amen

I witnessed a jail in Texas where they had faith based dorms where the inmates "jobs" was faith service. A great service, but a lot of the people just wanted to use it to help with parole.

In my opinion ,
Everyone has to start somewhere...so in the beginning a seed has to be planted and you don't see much at first but, if you can give it what it needs..It can grow and grow into something magnificent and life changing and life sustaining..

Inmates may go there in the intrest of changing their lives..at first all they know is parole can do that, and this may be a pathway that could lead there....However, as they listen to the word and begin to seek on their own..they may learn that it isn't parole they need as much as a life changing relationship with God..God is the only one that can be with them, really beside them as they do their time, God is the only one that can give them peace in such an environment as prison. The faith dorms are just trying to teach the basics of forgiveness, kindness, patience, caring, respect and love for mankind thru the Word. God Bless them

When one starts believing in a higher & better power than themselves, more often than not it leads them to believe more in themselves as well. The more they believe in themselves, the more they love themselves AS themselves, accept their shortcomings, and then strive to make themselves better so they may someday meet that higher power.

And almost always, much to the disappointment of the judgie wudgies and herr uber fuhrer prison commandantes, IT AIN'T THEM!!!!!!

Which is why you may not find *as many* faith programs in jails or prisons.


IMHO.

Everybody needs hope.....without hope a man perishes.

Faith-based programs are a great example of a positive initiative being implemented throughout prisons to encourage change. The nice thing about faith-based programs is that some of them must be allowed in prisons due to the prisoner's rights, etc.

I think that'd fall under RLUIPA, wouldn't it? I think the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well.

The problem isn't that the program does or doesn't work, it's that they don't treat all religions equally and non-religious prisoners aren't eligible for the same 'goodies' as the putatively religious. That's usually what the lawsuits are about.