The National Institute of Justice
estimates that two-thirds of inmates released from state prisons are re-arrested for serious offenses within three years, and 52 percent return to prison.,”Correctional facilities across the country are taking steps to add faith-based components to their facilities in an effort to decrease high rates of recidivism, or repeat offenses.
The National Institute of Justice
estimates that two-thirds of inmates released from state prisons are re-arrested for serious offenses within three years, and 52 percent return to prison.
One of the main national groups working to lower these numbers is Prison Fellowship, a national organization that provides religious guidance to inmates and their families.
Mary Johnson, a Prison Fellowship employee and field director in Illinois, said the men in the Prison Fellowship recidivate at a rate of about 8 percent.
"If you are able to win them over with Christ these numbers will begin to change because they will want to change," Johnson said.
She also said actual rates of recidivism are higher than reported because of poor tracking of prisoners who have been released.
Johnson said almost 90 percent of the prisoners say they have been in prison at least once before.
Another program working to combat the national recidivism level is the Corrections Corporation of America, a correctional organization that works in partnership with the government.
Steven Owen, spokesman for CCA, said there was not an exact number available for the recidivate rate of prisoners who work with faith-based programs.
"We've seen enough in terms of its effectiveness to know that we feel good and strong in providing our programs to prisoners," Owen said.
Owen said CCA offers vocational trade, life skills and substance abuse classes to inmates along with formal education classes.
CCA is placed in the prison system through the government to create "faith pods" and "honor dorms," religious centers within prisons, Owen said.
Both Owen and Johnson said inmates who come to their programs do so on a volunteer basis. Each program is open to inmates of every religion and even to those who have no religious affiliation.
Another benefit of religious prison programs is the reduction of idle time for the prisoners, Owen said.
"Programs like these give the prisoners productive activities that help reduce idle time which can lead to fights and prisoners acting out," he said. "From a managing standpoint, we can really see the benefit of these organizations."
Both CCA and Prison Fellowship rely heavily on volunteers to work directly with the prisoners.
Mica Burton, ministry support center manager for Prison Fellowship, said the program works with local churches and their volunteers around the country.
"The ministries delivery team does everything with the prisoners including praying, bible studies, and even leads some Sunday services," Burton said.
Johnson said Prison Fellowship, unlike CCA, continues contact with prisoners after their release from the correctional facilities.
"Most prisons are in rural areas and it's important to help inmates who are moving into cities with their transition to prevent a return to prison," Johnson said.
Johnson said volunteers also work to place individuals with family members in prison with churches in their area.
"Our goal is to leave the prisoners better then when we found them," Owen said.
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