Faith-Based Rehab Programs in Prison Essay

By the lack of rehabilitation programs in the state and federal prison systems, the chances of convicts releasing and returning back to prison increases rapidly. The lack of rehabilitation is one of the most leading causes to an offenders relapse or to a new crime that will be committed within 3 years from the offender’s release. A rehabilitation program

The organizational functions that would be integral to the positive development of a new reentry program start with sitting down with community leaders to determine what needs are being met, and where shortfalls in the system lie. Once needs are locked in, set up funding, through local, state, or federal means, determine how many employees will be needed and gather a list of potential candidates. Taking the candidates aside at the initial interview/selection, determine assets that can be applied to the program, along with educational and experience. Sometimes needs can be met by individuals that have experience in the reality that is life in prison, these candidates can be brought in and trained to handle responsibilities and build knowledge with time. Creating an outlet for improvement begins with building trust, contacts, and employers willing to work with the system and create

McLennan County Reintegration Program is formed around the idea of reducing the recidivism rate in the community. The agency program has two phases. Many of the agencies, consumers originate from the jail-based program at the McLennan County Jail. The consumers begin the first phase of the program by requesting to be a part of the program using a kiosk system, after the kiosk request is received the inmate is then placed on a waiting list. Once the inmate is selected from the wait list they are given an application to complete and return. When the inmate is selected to become a part of the program they begin the intake process. Lastly, the inmate begins the program that consists of group meetings and individual sessions that involves a treatment plan. After the client is released from the county jail or state prison the client then follows up with Reintegration and begins the community-based phase. Some clients apply and participate in the program while they are incarcerated in the McLennan County Jail. Once released the same clients are given encouragement to attend and often choose to

Implement programs that provide job training, develop mental improvement, behavioral cognitive therapy, lect ures on the importance of taking medication daily and on time, coaching sessions with real li fe situations on how to react when confronted by opposition, parenting classes, cooking lessons, drug and al cohol counseling, require all prisoners to attend GED and College courses. The plan is to equip all i n house prisoners with life changing techniques during their time in jail. Therefore, when the offender i s ready to be released into the community he/she is well equipped with and education, skills, and c oping methods that are essential to living life on the

Today, a countless number of Americans are being imprisoned in mass quantities and are receiving unjust sentences. For the many American who find themselves in the prison system, life is squalor and their experiences are often damaging to their ability to function properly in society. In the United States, our prisons are failing miserably at effectively rehabilitating criminals. Upon release, many find reintegration to be far too hard and in turn many turn back to a life crime as a result. This is trend is called recidivism and is characterized by a prisoner’s likelihood to recommit criminal offenses. The struggles that ex-convicts experience in regards to holding a job, maintaining personal finances, reconciling with

The prison population in the United States has been growing steadily for more over 30 years, a great portion of this population are returned offenders. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics reports, each year more than 650,000 offenders are released into communities with at least 5 million of the ex-offenders being under some form of community-based supervision (James, 2010). In an attempt to curtail the rate of recidivism, the Bureau of Prison contracts with Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs) to assist inmates approaching release. RRC’s provide safe, structured, supervised environment, as well as employment counseling, job placement and financial management assistance (Prisons, 2017).

Studies pertaining to religion and spirituality have been found to assist the difficult time of incarceration, beneficial for both the family and the individual incarcerated. According to studies, practicing faith has been used as a coping method to help with the process and duration of the separation. Researchers have said that 78% of the incarcerated population consider support from religious groups after inmates are released from prison to be absolutely critical to their wellbeing and contributes positivity to acquire successful rehabilitation (

Enhance rehabilitative programming in Illinois prisons: Improve access to education; vocational training and substance abuse programs to help offenders successfully adapt to life after prison, this is essential to lower the rate of recidivism.

“The cost per day for a client in jail or prison is $107.71 as opposed to alternatives (e.g. Drug Court $10.33; DRRD $6.60; Probation .33)” (Piquero, 2010). A study by Grant Duwe, Ph.D. and Byron Johnson Ph.D. of Baylor Universities Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) affirm that the cost-benefit analysis of the faith-based rehabilitation programs are a godsend to taxpayers. The results show faith-based rehabilitation programs have reduced re-arrest by 26 percent, re-conviction by 35 percent, and re-imprisonment for a new felony offense by 40 percent (Baylor, 2013). The state of Missouri is projected to save over $7.7 million by reducing recidivism (St. Amand, 2011). The client is responsible for 25% of the cost incurred for treatment, however there are programs for those who have special needs or are indigent. This student/advocate was not privy to the actual budget and cost per client. Those who do not complete the program have often committed too many technical violations. As with any program, there are both fortuitous and unfortunate outcomes: thus, the proverb “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink,” holds much truth (Brewer, 2013).

This program involves mental and medical health support such as counseling, while also helping former criminals find housing and a job. Logically, by giving these services to detainees, it will give them the opportunity to get their life on track and become more likely to break out of criminal habits. When a detainee is released from prison they have nothing, which will lead to the same habits they had such as stealing. Giving them counseling, housing, and a job, could give them the thing they need in order to reduce crime rates and help them to not get recharged with another crime. CNN wire had recently reported 48% of prisoners who do not complete the program become charged with another crime. But those who have completed the program, only 23% are rearrested after six months. This statistic shows how helpful it is to help criminals become better

Q= what types of rehabilitation programs are offered in prisons? What programs are most successful? What are the principles of effective programs?

In my community in Houston Texas, Bridges is a nonprofit corporation that emphasizes restorative justice. Bridges as its name imply builds bridges between offenders, victims and the society which are affected by crimes. The aims and objectives are to rehabilitate and reconcile victims of crime, prison inmates and the community by bringing healing, forgiveness and recidivism reduction among offender graduates of the program. They have a fourteen-week program in which volunteers who are victims and offenders are brought together along with a facilitator. The participants are taught in a classroom environment and given homework, they keep journals and write letters through the guidance of a manual which serve as syllabus and study guide and after graduation, becomes useful to the society. Their program is in most

In spite of scholarly ideas to the contrary, modern day prisons are largely utilitarian in function. As Americans, we are most accustomed to concerning ourselves with the end result rather than the means. We are results oriented. If the public can be convinced that our current prison system is operating effectively,

To rebuild or reform or restore self-awareness in the prisoners or to help individuals without

Often times many inmates go through the motions of rehabilitation, but do not truly put forth the maximum effort that is needed to better themselves and become a part of society. While some may view this as a lack of effort, the truth may be that the commitment shown by those chosen to walk them through this stage of their recovery is insufficient. The counselors of these inmates need to make a point of showing them that they truly do care, and want to see them succeed.