US gets first faith-based prison

[Dreamer128]

Thursday 25 December 2003, 15:31 Makka Time, 12:31 GMT

Governor Jeb Bush has dedicated what he called the nation's first faith-based prison, telling its nearly 800 inmates that religion can help keep them from landing in jail again.


In addition to regular prayer sessions, the Lawtey Correctional Institution will offer religious studies, choir practice, religious
counselling and other spiritual activities seven days a week.

Participation is voluntary and inmates are free to transfer out.

Bush lauded the inmates from 26 faiths for committing themselves "to a higher authority."

"This is not just fluffy policy, this is serious policy," he told the crowd on Wednesday. "For the people who are sceptical about this initiative, I am proud that Florida is the home to the first faith-based prison in the United States."

Bush said it was the first of its kind, meaning a prison focused on encouraging the spirituality of inmates of all faiths.

Other prisons have used religious thinking to try to turn inmates away from crime. From 1829 to 1913, for instance, the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia used a Quaker-inspired system in which prisoners were isolated from each other and made to perform labour in hopes of encouraging spiritual reflection and change.

Inmates at the Lawtey prison in north Florida were told more than a month ago it would be converted to a faith-based institution, prompting 111 to transfer out. But their beds were quickly filled with volunteers from other prisons.

"We've developed a cocoon, a place where they can practise their faith and not have the severe negative pressures and interactions that naturally take place in some of our institutions," said Correction Secretary James Crosby Jr.

Repeat offences

Officials hope the programme will lead to fewer repeat offenders.

The governor said about 38% of Florida's released inmates would be back in prison at some point.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we could figure out a way to lower that 38 percent closer to zero percent, for your family and your community?" Bush asked to rousing applause.

Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, called the prison part of "a major constitutional showdown" over government funding for religious programmes.

He said before filing suit, the ACLU was waiting for the results of a test case challenging a state voucher programme that gave students taxpayer money to attend religious schools.

During the dedication ceremony, many prisoners jumped to their feet and clapped in rhythm, as a gospel singer sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." Some shouted "Sing it!" and "Amen!"

Later, Bush told the inmates: "I can't think of a better place to reflect on the awesome love of our lord Jesus than to be here at Lawtey Correctional. God bless you."

[Source: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exer...A8CEEC53F.htm]

[Chewbacca]

This actually makes sense statistically as there are very few atheists in prison in proportion to the general populous here according to a survey I saw a while back.

Also I find Gov. Bush's comment at the end of the article 'curious' as it stated earlier in the article that inmates of 26 faiths were represented. Perhaps he meant that for himself and not the inmates?

On another note I think this topic might be in violation of the religious discussion ban so I will refrain from further comment until this is determined.

[ 12-30-2003, 06:38 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

[The Hierophant]

heh heh, reminds me of 'The Shawshank Redemption':

"I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here you'll receive both. Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank."

[Dreamer128]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: On another note I think this topic might be in violation of the religious discussion ban so I will refrain from further comment until this is determined.

Well, the topic certainly wasn't meant as a religious debate. If this is a violation of the ban, though, I apoligize [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Dreamer128: quote: Originally posted by Chewbacca: On another note I think this topic might be in violation of the religious discussion ban so I will refrain from further comment until this is determined.

Well, the topic certainly wasn't meant as a religious debate. If this is a violation of the ban, though, I apoligize [img]smile.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]As mentioned in a thread in G.D., the biggest concern over religious discussions is that they often break down into an "us vs them" argument rather than remaining an intellectual debate.

This is an interesting topic. It may be pushing the edge of the moratorium, but it is also an opportunity for the members here to show the Mods that they are mature enough to discuss a subject with religious content without feeling the need to attack or ridicule those with an opposing view.

It won't get the moratorium lifted by any means, but it might go a long way towards showing that issues like this can be discussed on an intellectual basis instead of an emotional one.

As for my own opinion regarding Gov. Jeb Bush's initiative in establishing a "faith based prison" - I think the concept is interesting, but I'm not sure if it will truly produce the results he is hoping for.....less repeat offenders. Still, he seems to have gone about it in a very fair and even-handed method - allowing the prisoners to practice their personally chosen religions openly rather than trying to establish Christianity as the accepted religion. I also thought it was wise to allow any prisoners who objected to the faith-based concept to transfer out of the facility before the change took place.

As for his comment at the end about prisoners reflecting on the love of Jesus Christ - I would expect him to say something along those lines, since his chosen religion is Christianity. But it does give reason for the federal gov't to "monitor" the program and make sure that ALL religions are allowed equally, rather than one religion being "promoted" over the others.

In regards to the A.C.L.U. waiting to decide if they will file a lawsuit or not - that highlights one of the biggest flaws in thier organization. All of the prisoners at Lawtey chose to stay there, so there rights are not being violated. They were given the opportunity to transfer if they wanted to. Those that are there now obviously wanted to stay at that facility, so I don't see that the A.C.L.U. has any reason to come in and file a lawsuit on their behalf. But in doing stuff like this - going in and filing lawsuits they claim are based on discrimination, the A.C.L.U. actually ends up creating more racial tensions than resolving them. Don't get me wrong, there are times when a person's rights have been violated and the A.C.L.U. is a staunch ally for them, but there are also plenty of times when the action(s) taken have nothing to do with race or any other discriminatory factor, but the A.C.L.U. comes in and files a frivolous lawsuit anyway. By doing this, they just increase (or at least perpetuate) any racial or discriminatory tensions that already existed.

[Timber Loftis]

Hey, the can learn how to pray that their every job application won't get tossed in the can upon the interviewer immediately seeing the felony box checked.

[Rokenn]

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: In regards to the A.C.L.U. waiting to decide if they will file a lawsuit or not - that highlights one of the biggest flaws in thier organization. All of the prisoners at Lawtey chose to stay there, so there rights are not being violated. They were given the opportunity to transfer if they wanted to. Those that are there now obviously wanted to stay at that facility, so I don't see that the A.C.L.U. has any reason to come in and file a lawsuit on their behalf. But in doing stuff like this - going in and filing lawsuits they claim are based on discrimination, the A.C.L.U. actually ends up creating more racial tensions than resolving them. Don't get me wrong, there are times when a person's rights have been violated and the A.C.L.U. is a staunch ally for them, but there are also plenty of times when the action(s) taken have nothing to do with race or any other discriminatory factor, but the A.C.L.U. comes in and files a frivolous lawsuit anyway. By doing this, they just increase (or at least perpetuate) any racial or discriminatory tensions that already existed. [/QB]

But one of the ACLU's mandates, if I'm not mistaken, is to also defend the consititution, not just peoples rights. I have misgivings about this faith-based prison idea, as it could cross the line of the government establishing religion. I think the ACLU taking a wait and see attitude is the right move on this.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Rokenn: But one of the ACLU's mandates, if I'm not mistaken, is to also defend the consititution, not just peoples rights. I have misgivings about this faith-based prison idea, as it could cross the line of the government establishing religion. I think the ACLU taking a wait and see attitude is the right move on this.

I actually agree with you up to a point, Rokenn. Gov. Jeb Bush is skating very close to the line of separation of church and state here...and there is definitely a potential for Constitutional violations.

However, I believe Gov. Bush has covered himself by: a) allowing the prisoners to openly practice 26 different religions, and b) allowing any prisoners that didn't like the "faith based concept" to transfer to another facility. So the prisoners at Lawtey have been given a freedom of choice {well, as much freedom of choice as a prisoner can have, anyway} and the ones that are there are there by their own choice. So there isn't an argument of their civil rights being violated.

Still, the situation DOES need to be monitored to ensure that subtle steps aren't taken to promote Christianity (or any other specific religion) over the others.

So I will meet you halfway on this one.

Well with the stellar record so far established by our collective rehabilitation/justice systems I think its about damn time someone tried something new....hell it can't do any worse.

[ 12-31-2003, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

[Timber Loftis]

I don't think allowing one prison for those of faith - by option - to go to is "establishing religion." Especially since any faith seems to be acceptable. The one concern I have is that over time this may become predominantly one religion over another, and that particular religious classes may be instituted. Believe it or not, considering the amount of black males in the prison system and their proclivity for adopting Islam, I am not so concerned that the one predominant religion at the prison would be Christian. However, any particular religion gaining predominance in any way that can be seen as being "pushed" by the government WOULD cross the line of "establishing religion."