Faith-Based Initiatives and Prisons

Prison Statistics

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics there are over 2.2 million prisoners held in federal or state prisons or local jails. In 2006 the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated the overall incarceration rate per 100,000 U.S. residents for each state and federal prison system. These statistics indicated that 4.8% of Black men were in prison or jail compared to 1.9% of Hispanic men and 0.7% of White men. Blacks are the most disproportionately represented minority group in the U.S. prison population, as they currently make up 12.3% of the U.S. population compared to Whites, who comprise 69% of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Considering their disproportionate representation, Black inmates have much to gain from faith-based prison initiatives. Unfortunately, their religious needs have often gone unmet.

Participating Agencies

The U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Correction Information Center conducted a [Page 278]survey in 2005 in which they contacted all departments of correction in 50 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons for information on residential, faith-based programs for inmates. To be considered, programs had to be separately housed, residential inmate programs that utilize a faith-based approach. Of the 51 agencies surveyed, 21 (41%) operate or are developing at least one residential, faith-based program. Two agencies are currently developing programs, and faith-based programs are being added or expanded in at least 10 agencies of those surveyed. The Florida Department of Corrections represents one of the most unique faith-based prison initiatives in that it is currently operating three separate faith-and-character-based institutions: Lawtey Correctional Institute, Wakulla Correctional Institute, and Hillsborough Correctional Institute, which is designated specifically for female inmates.

Policy Issues

Religion has played an important role in the historical development of the U.S. penal system, and in recent years several factors have brought to light the issue of faith-based initiatives in prisons. In 1996 the U.S. Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. Contained in this legislation was the Charitable Choice requirement, which requires states to contract with faith-based social service organizations in the same manner as they contract with other nonprofit organizations. This was an important step because it allows faith-based organizations to compete for federal grant money in providing social services. It has also played a major role in allowing religious organizations to provide services to correctional institutions. At the same time it raises issues regarding the separation of church and state as decreed in the U.S. Constitution, which is currently being debated by many religious groups and constitutional rights organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union.

...