Posted on 07/20/2002 7:11:39 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple
General IFI Program
Why should a state have such a program for inmates? The law allows this program to be operated by a non-governmental organization as one among many programs available to inmates. IFI is a prison program designed to reduce the rate of recidivism by preparing inmates for return to society through an intensive exposure to faith-based programming. Clearly the education and ethics and religious teaching are all combined with preparation for being a responsible employee, parent, and spouse. The program works in conjunction with other elements, including victim-offender and family reconciliation, community service, and job training and mentors that involve church contacts, that will achieve the critical secular objective of reducing recidivism.
How will IFI affect existing programs at the prison sites? IFI has demonstrated a positive effect on existing programs.
What qualifications does Prison Fellowship have to run IFI ? Prison Fellowship has: • Developed an effective prototype in Brazil and Ecuador. • Invested hundred of thousands dollars in the translation of the Brazilian prototype into an American context. • Has demonstrated that it has the capacity to mobilize the resources necessary to run a program like this. Prison Fellowship is the largest prison ministry in the world. In the US it mobilizes 40,000 volunteers to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families - ministering in 1,700 prisons.
How does Prison Fellowship justify seeking State funding? There is an overwhelming demand among State correctional systems for correctional programs that reduce recidivism while being cost effective. All the evidence that we uncovered in the planning stage and in subsequent conversations with various State officials indicates that if the program works (i.e., if it can reduce repeat crime in a cost-effective manner), they will pay for the services in spite of the fact that they are sponsored by a registered nonprofit. In fact, recent constitutional ruling indicates that the State must be blind with respect to the religious affiliation of any vendor, if that vendor is able to provide services that meet State standards and secular criteria and if inmates are not required to participate in the program but are volunteers.
Does anyone receive financial gain from this program? No. All funds are used to support the IFI program itself or other prison-related ministries of Prison Fellowship.
What is the role of the State Department of Corrections? A formal Request For Proposal (RFP) was generated by each State, laying out criteria for a faith-based prison program. Prison Fellowship responded to the RFP with an explicitly Christ-centered, biblically based program called IFI. The states have not been involved in the development of the IFI program (including curriculum or methodologies), except to define the boundaries within which the program can be developed. State personnel have also worked with us in defining the policies and procedures that would guide the working relationship between Prison Fellowship's IFI program and the State. All support services offered to other inmates by the prison continue to be provide to those inmates participating in IFI.
How long will the pilot program run? Research will continue for three years after release of program inmates.
How will IFI measure the program's success? The program's success will be measured at several levels:
First, we will assess the extent to which the program changes participants' behavior. This will be done by comparing IFI inmates with a match control group of inmates who are similar in every way except they are not in the IFI program. We will closely evaluate changes in all aspects of their behavior in prison and after they have been released into the community. This includes in-prison infractions, rearrest rates, reconviction rates, as well as positive action evidenced both in prison and in the community.
Second, we will evaluate the extent to which the values, beliefs, and attitudes of IFI prisoners have changed or are changing as a result of participation with the program. We view a fundamental shift of value and worldview as an essential step of long-term behavioral change. These fundamental shifts in values and beliefs are the primary objective of Prison Fellowship; behavioral change is a secondary PF objective and a primary objective for the State.
Third, the evaluation will seek to identify specific programmatic elements that contribute to observable outcomes; we will try to identify specific aspects of the curriculum and program design that enhance our efforts and aspects that do not affect or that detract from the desired results.
Although it is too early to assess recidivism data, there is evidence to date which is encouraging. The Texas Policy Council is completing analysis and will make data available once evaluations are completed. Results will be posted on an on-going basis as data becomes available.
Will you introduce the IFI program into other prison facilities? The plan is to develop three prototype sites. Based on evidence that the program is working and negotiating a State per diem for program services, we look toward multiple sites beyond the prototypes.
Other Considerations: First, the presence of volunteers in prison and the inclusion of religious elements in educational programming in prisons is not unique. Second, the IFI program being offered was designed for the non-governmental provider with the help of church-state attorneys. The attorneys indicated that when the program is not operated by the government but by qualified and screened volunteers, is voluntary for participating inmates without adverse consequence for failing the program, meets the requirements for security and cooperation required of any program, and addresses the secular concerns of education, job training, and reducing recidivism, it is legal. We hope IFI will work effectively and be a model program that will help our country.
IFI Participants
What are the selection criteria for IFI inmates? First and foremost, they must volunteer for the program, being fully aware of the requirements and the Christ-centered, biblically based curriculum. Applicants must also be male and: • Be within 18 to 24 months of their release or parole date, with the exception of selected longtermers. • If in Texas, plan to live in Harris County or surrounding counties - other states must be released within state. • Be eligible for discharge or parole in program state. • Be healthy. • Be functionally literate (an Educational Achievements 6.0 rating). • Have no enemies at the facility site.
Do IFI participants have to be Christians? No, but they must be willing to productively participate in a program that is explicitly Christian in both content and delivery.
Are inmates who practice other faiths able to participate in this program? Yes, if they're willing to actively participate in a Christ-centered, biblically based program.
IFI Volunteers & Staff
Is the program staffed completely by volunteers? No. The program is designed to be staffed by seven to ten full-time paid professionals supporting the efforts of more than 350 volunteers who serve as instructors, small-group leaders, mentors, and administrative volunteers. Salaries are paid by Prison Fellowship.
How are the volunteers selected? Each IFI program will provide hundreds of volunteer opportunities, ranging from project-oriented assignments (such as seminar instructor or community service project coordinator) to more regular, day-to-day assignments (such as mentor). Volunteers will be recruited from local churches directly by IFI staff and indirectly through other ministries. All volunteers must complete a thorough screening process that has been developed by both the State and IFI. Screening includes but is not limited to a personal interview, a full record check, and an application form that requires signing a Statement of faith. Screened applicants are required to complete a minimum of 8 hours of Prison Fellowship and State training before being certified as an IFI volunteer. An additional two hours of basic training in the IFI program will be required for those being assigned to advanced or highly specialized volunteer rules such as instructor or mentor.
Will the same volunteers participate throughout the duration of the program? Some of the volunteers will hold ongoing responsibilities. But many will perform short-term, project-oriented tasks. Consistency in the program will be maintained through the standards established for volunteer selection, screening, training, and management. And consistency will be maintained through long-term mentoring relationships established with volunteers and inmates.
Will any professional counselors be involved in the program? Yes, full-time Biblical Counselors are hired by Prison Fellowship to teach and counsel the IFI participants.
What are the warden's responsibilities, and who is in charge of day-to-day activities of the InnerChange program? Essentially the Warden and IFI Program Director work hand in glove. That is, the State-employed warden is responsible for meeting all of the State correctional standards, including command and control, security, and major disciplinary procedures. The IFI Local Director is responsible for the overall day-to-day operation of the program. In this capacity he or she interfaces with the warden on a procedural level, coordinating the movements of InnerChange Freedom Initiative inmates and resolving minor disciplinary problems.
Seperation of Church & State
Can the State allow a religious organization to operate a prison program? The law allows a state to include religious organizations as social service providers. Congress itself enacted a Charitable Choice provision to encourage States to include religious providers among organizations helping welfare recipients.
Isn't the State endorsing religious activity in the prison? No more than a prison system does by giving inmates access to chaplains. Participation in the program is voluntary to inmates of any faith or no faith. It is operated by non-governmental volunteers, and the State disclaims endorsing any religious aspect of the program.
Does this program violate the "Establishment Clause" disallowing government entanglement in religion? No. This program is a response--one response, the only response--to the State's public and open request for any interested social service provider to propose a faith-based prison program. Because the State is not discriminating against religious social service providers, the question is whether the State can work with such a social service provider. From the governor on down, we understand that states believe it can.
The old ways certainly weren't working, but this holds hope. If you have a chance, visit IFI, it will change yoiur life also.
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