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.