U.S. Department of Justice

Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in Corrections

Correctional agencies may choose to offer rehabilitative programming for offenders that uses a faith-based model. Within institutions, these initiatives are offered in addition to standard opportunities for inmates to observe their own religious practices. Many prisons and jails have separate housing units with a religious focus.

Programs inside institutions often network to link individuals to the resources needed to successfully reenter the community. Outreach to inmates and offenders is frequently provided by faith-based volunteer and community organizations.

  • Examples of more recent programs, such as the Faith- and Character-Based Initiatives in Florida and Indiana, are provided.

  • Guides, best practices, toolkits, and studies on the development and effectiveness of faith-based programs are available both for institutional and community settings.

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Recommended Reading

Date Title Type
2011
Answers to questions regarding what a faith-based program is and how “faith” operates in that program are sought. This report is useful to those individuals tasked with classifying a program as faith-based and eventually evaluating that program. Find... Read More
PDF
2010
The effectiveness of the Ridge House program to reduce recidivism is examined. Ridge House is a “spiritually-based, short-term transitional housing program that provides substance abuse treatment and employability training to parolees in need of supp... Read More
PDF
2008
Faith- and character-based programming by corrections, in particular that of Oklahoma, is reviewed. In addition to an abstract, this paper contains these sections: faith-based correctional programming (FBP) in the U.S.; overview of Oklahoma's FCCP (... Read More
PDF
2008
Recommendations are given on how states "can improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and build or improve collaborations with community-based service providers" (p. 3). Goals and recommendations explain how to: build and sustain comprehensive networks w... Read More
PDF
2007 NIC Publication
Collaboration between faith-based organizations, community organizations, and corrections has proven to be a cost-effective way to meet agency needs and bring much needed services to offenders. This unique partnership also helps to promote social jus... Read More
SMI
2012
"Contains six books to help grassroots organizations and faith-based organizations develop substance abuse and mental health treatment services." This set includes these volumes: introduction; organizational assessment and readiness; effective market... Read More
WEB
2005 NIC Publication
Results from a survey regarding residential faith-based programs in 51 U.S. prison systems are reported. Residential faith-based programs are being operated or developed in 41% (21) of the responding agencies. Program details and contact information ... Read More
PDF
2006 NIC Publication
Answers to the questions of whether successful public-private faith-based partnerships exist, roadblocks to such collaborations, and what role the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) can play in fostering such partnerships between correctional an... Read More
PDF
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Related Resources

Date Title Type
2005 NIC Publication
Results from a survey regarding residential faith-based programs in 51 U.S. prison systems are reported. Residential faith-based programs are being operated or developed in 41% (21) of the responding agencies. Program details and contact information ... Read More
PDF
1994 NIC Publication
This manual provides basic information and guidance about the religious practices of Native American Indians in secure confinement. Background information on Native American offenders, historical factors, and the role of religion in rehabilitation is... Read More
PDF
2001 NIC Publication
Religious programming issues are discussed. Topics briefly covered include: what is the practice of religion in corrections today; the reality of conversion; the role of the chaplain and religious program and how it relates to the agency's mission; ... Read More
PDF
2006 NIC Publication
Answers to the questions of whether successful public-private faith-based partnerships exist, roadblocks to such collaborations, and what role the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) can play in fostering such partnerships between correctional an... Read More
PDF
2007 NIC Publication
Collaboration between faith-based organizations, community organizations, and corrections has proven to be a cost-effective way to meet agency needs and bring much needed services to offenders. This unique partnership also helps to promote social jus... Read More
SMI
2008
This report "seeks to provide a preliminary overview of the challenges posed by radicalized and extremist prisoners, and to explore the potential for the radicalization of young European Muslims in the prison environment" (p. iii). Chapters contained... Read More
PDF
2008
The problem of religious discrimination in correctional facilities is examined. Sections contained in this briefing are: introductory remarks by the Chairman; speakers' presentations -- "Panel 1 -- Free Exercise of Inmates' Religious rights vs. Pris... Read More
PDF
2008
This paper "reviews research documenting the role of religion in prisons and prisoner reentry, and reviews research connecting religion to crime reduction as well as prosocial behavior, and thus provides a basis for inclusion of a faith-based approac... Read More
PDF
2008
A vision "of a thriving, independent and diverse third sector, playing a full role in supporting the effective management of offenders . . . to reduce re-offending and protect the public [while] contributing to making communities safer" is presented ... Read More
PDF
2008
Recommendations are given on how states "can improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and build or improve collaborations with community-based service providers" (p. 3). Goals and recommendations explain how to: build and sustain comprehensive networks w... Read More
PDF
2008
The case of Kevin Lamar James is used to illustrate how inmates can become radicalized to the point of committing terrorist acts. Kevin James and several accomplices were found guilty of "conspiring to wage war against the United States." James ran t... Read More
PDF
2008
Faith- and character-based programming by corrections, in particular that of Oklahoma, is reviewed. In addition to an abstract, this paper contains these sections: faith-based correctional programming (FBP) in the U.S.; overview of Oklahoma's FCCP (... Read More
PDF
Show All/Print View

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