State opens the largest faith-based U.S. prison [Jeb extends FL's unique faith-based prison system]

The Gainesville Sun ^ | Nov 24, 2005 | JOE FOLLICK

[summer]

Gov. Jeb Bush during a ceremony designating Wakulla Correctional Institution in Crawfordville as a faith-based institution. Wakulla Correctional is Florida's third faith-based prison and the largest of its type in the nation.

...The prison located on Commerce Boulevard next to Opportunity Park was dedicated Wednesday as the state's third, and now the nation's largest, faith-based prison.

The 1,600-inmate facility will become a ''Faith- and Character-Based Institution'' as inmates with good behavior can move to the prison and receive educational and spiritual opportunities not available at other state prisons.

This is the third faith-based prison in the state, and the others are in Lawtey and a female prison in Hillsborough County. No other state has entire prisons devoted to faith-based guidelines.

The first faith-based prison in Lawtey has only been open about two years, not enough time for data to show if inmates who leave such facilities are more likely to succeed in the real world once released.

DOC officials are extra careful to include the phrase ''character-based'' in any descriptions of the facilities. Despite the Christian majority, classes are available for most religious faiths and even, officials say, those with no religious belief at all.

Despite some consternation from groups that battle the blurring of religion and government, the faith-based prisons have not brought on any lawsuits, largely because it's a voluntary option for inmates, and the religious material and time is donated by volunteers.

Gov. Jeb Bush and others say incidents such as fights have been reduced at Lawtey....

Wakulla Correctional Institution warden Kenneth Lampp said just having extra programs allows fewer opportunities for mischief....

[summer]

I really think this is one of the best things Gov Bush has done as governor -- to think about helping inmates restore their lives in a positive way upon release, and provide them with a foundation for doing so.

These religious programs are voluntary and offer all religions, not just one. Very few political leaders seek to help prisoners in their re-entry into society.

I know Gov Bush will get a lot of grief from some on what he is doing here, as Florida is the only state in the country with these type of prisons and some people want to say he is creating a state religion or something.

But, the fact there are 3,000 inmates on waiting lists hoping to enter these religious programs tells me FL's governor is on the right track. To me this is very humane what Gov Bush has done here, in allowing and promoting these programs -- and breaking new ground in doing so.

[summer]

Six news articles about this are currently posted on Justin Sayfie's site HERE.

[summer]

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving!

[Jedidah]

Texas began a similar program at a new prison near Abilene some years ago.

Tarrant County sheriff also got in hot water for allowing a so-called segregated "God Pod," which was popular with inmates.

[summer]

PS That was a typo in the headline - I actually know how to spell "UNIQUE."

[summer]

I think the programs at these FL prisons are more extensive, as it's a 24-hour a day thing, and if a prisoner prefers not to be in such a program, they can transfer out, to another prison. Other prisoners who want it can then transfer in.

[madprof98]

. . . Florida is the only state in the country with these type of prisons . . .

Thankfully, not so. Georgia has instituted "faith-based dorms" in several prisons. So far, they are considered very successful. Our program is modeled on Florida's.

[Grig]

"inmates with good behavior can move to the prison and receive educational and spiritual opportunities not available at other state prisons. "

What kind of opportunities? I'de like more details on this.

[Sam Cree]

"Despite some consternation from groups that battle the blurring of religion and government, the faith-based prisons have not brought on any lawsuits, largely because it's a voluntary option for inmates, and the religious material and time is donated by volunteers."

Also, I imagine the prisons do not endorse a specific religion, thus avoiding making a law "respecting an establishment of religion," probably allowing the inmates to pursue the faith of their choosing, within reason.

[George W. Bush]

I'm not sure if I like the term faith-based prison.

But helping provide moral and relgious instruction to those who have mostly lacked it is a worthy effort.

[mtbopfuyn]

Oh, good grief! This is pure hogwash and a total waste of tax dollars. Sure, sounds good from the outside for those who don't know what goes on behind bars, but that's not reality. The reality is that prisoners have nothing to do all day long but think of ways to get out and make work or trouble for the prison officials. If they aren't filling appeals, then they're filing charges against the prison for any and every little thing.

Every day hundreds of inmates suddenly find God. Out of those hundreds, perhaps one might have seen the light but the others do it simply to make themselves look good for their boards. Coincidently, they usually find their way right before their boards. Remember Karla Faye Tucker? You know, Karla who had orgasms with each strike of the pick. She found Jesus and was all sweetness and light only after all her appeals and the media ate it up. CNN was all over itself talking up how could evil Republican Texas Governor George W. Bush, who had eyes on the White House, execute such a wonderful person.

Others think it's great fun to find those little loop holes with privileges. One of these is religion. It doesn't matter if they suddenly decide they need to worship a lightbulb in the run or the third floor tile from the right in the day room, the law states they must be allowed to do so. Along with that worship, they also must have a spritual guide or preacher or whatever they wish to call the leader of their own special religion. Yep, your tax dollars will be used to find a Reverend of the Almighty Floor Tile to give service to the inmate and will also be used to file suit against you for not finding such a person.

And the stories I could tell about how inmates con the good church ladies who visit them on Sundays. There's a reason they're called "cons", hello. Even though they know better, the regular chaplains have a large turn over rate because they get manipulated by the convicts.

With all this, I see very little good coming from these faith prisons. These people are in prison for a reason. Deal with it. It's like sending Junior to the corner to be punished, but when the little sneak turns around with an angelic smile and says "I wuv oo" he gets let loose. Sorry, just because they "claim" they've found the light doesn't afford them nicer quarters. God is everywhere, so He can talk to them in their original cells.

[summer]

Oh, good grief! This is pure hogwash and a total waste of tax dollars.

It does not cost any tax dollars, according to Gov Bush. The materials are donated and the people administering these programs are volunteers.

Maybe you should find out more about something before you criticize it, Just a suggestion.

[summer]

From the article: No other state has entire prisons devoted to faith-based guidelines.

[summer]

There have been quite a few articles on these Florida prisons that are now faith based, but I, too, would like to know even more.

[summer]

allowing the inmates to pursue the faith of their choosing, within reason.

That's correct, although I noticed some media, in past articles, liked to portray these programs as being soley Christian-based.

[summer]

I meant: solely

[summer]

But helping provide moral and relgious instruction to those who have mostly lacked it is a worthy effort.

Yes, I agree -- if people want it.

[mtbopfuyn]

What kind of opportunities? I'de like more details on this.

They get plenty of opportunities for furthering their education and spiritual interests in regular prison. See my previous post on their religious opportunities. In Texas, it is mandantory (as in a law, folks!) that they must recieve their GED. BTW, this also applies to death row inmates. If they already have a high school diploma, they are granted Pell Grants (tax dollars) and other "free" grants and scholorships to take college courses or trade school. Many have left prisons with Masters Degrees and PhD's.

[Let's Roll]

"...but I, too, would like to know even more."

So would I. We already know that muzzies do a lot of their recruiting in prisons. How appropriate.

[redfreedom]

I can fully understand your perspective, where in the eyes of many the goodness of religion can be used to blur or whitewash the evil within people that is the cause of their being in prison in the first place.

I believe Allan Polunsky, chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, summed it up quite well just after Karla's execution:

"The issues here were not religious conversion or gender, but rather culpability and accountability. Karla Faye Tucker brutally murdered two innocent people and was found guilty by the court and afforded all legal processes. Although I believe she finally found God, her religious awakening could in no way excuse or mitigate her actions in the world she just left, but hopefully will provide her redemption in the world she just entered."