Faith Based Dorms
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Many of you have asked us “What is a Faith-Based Dorm?” We’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about our experiences working the programs at both Gadsden Correctional Facility and Wakulla Correctional Institution.
A Faith-Based dormitory is a 12-month volunteer program that seeks to unite corrections and the faith community to effect an inner-transformation of inmates. The purpose of the program is to assist inmates in areas such as anger management, parenting skills, financial accountability and counseling for drug and alcohol problems from a spiritual perspective. The goal of this pre-release program is to reduce the occurrence of recidivism. Inmates involved in this program live together and are housed in an open dormitory. |
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The dorm is configured to provide for space for programming within the dormitory. There are 64 participants per dorm. Bunk beds are placed against the wall in groups of eight, called “pods”. This is the inmate's small group for the year affording him an opportunity to develop positive long-term in-depth relationships. The inmates attend religious services on a regular basis and a mandatory daily devotional time.
Dan and Marilyn were the outside programming coordinators for the faith-based dorm at Wakulla C.I., which opened in April of 2002. They still are coordinating the mentoring program that matches up men and women from faith community at large with a member of the program on the "inside" of the correctional facility. The key to the success of this residential faith based program is the commitment of numerous qualified volunteers. |
While the remodeling of two existing dorms was taking place on the inside, months of preparation for programming was taking place on the outside. Recruiting instructors, making time lines, scheduling and training of volunteers were all part of the planning process for an informative, challenging and inspirational program that blesses both the inmate and the volunteer. There are approximately 130 inmates and over 60 volunteers involved in the program. One of the most rewarding features of the faith-based curriculum is the mentoring program. Twice a month volunteers representing various churches in the surrounding communities meet at Wakulla C.I. and sit down one-on-one with an inmate to help him grow spiritually, socially, and deal with decision-making, goal-setting, family relationships and release issues. They give a listening ear and offer words of wisdom from their own experiences and from Scripture. These visits into the dorm are invaluable in building a sense of community and affords the inmate an opportunity for frank, honest discussions with someone who cares.
Likewise, in the faith-based dorm at Gadsden Correctional Facility, we meet every Monday with female inmates to teach a Bible study called “The Basic Life Principles.” This in-depth study addresses universal, non-optional principals of life that help them to gain self-acceptance, inward peace, a clear conscience, genuine joy, security, moral purity and God’s direction for daily decisions. When inmates learn and accept what God’s will and purpose is for their lives it begins to change them from the inside out and gives them, for the first time, the desire and power to do what is right. There are approximately 50 women involved in the program. It’s exciting to be involved in an outreach ministry where we can see positive results and changed lives. We’re also thankful for you, our ministry partners, that have sustained us with your precious prayers and financial support. You are a tremendous encouragement to us and we want you to know that you are loved and appreciated for your invaluable contributions to our work.
Likewise, in the faith-based dorm at Gadsden Correctional Facility, we meet every Monday with female inmates to teach a Bible study called “The Basic Life Principles.” This in-depth study addresses universal, non-optional principals of life that help them to gain self-acceptance, inward peace, a clear conscience, genuine joy, security, moral purity and God’s direction for daily decisions. When inmates learn and accept what God’s will and purpose is for their lives it begins to change them from the inside out and gives them, for the first time, the desire and power to do what is right. There are approximately 50 women involved in the program. It’s exciting to be involved in an outreach ministry where we can see positive results and changed lives. We’re also thankful for you, our ministry partners, that have sustained us with your precious prayers and financial support. You are a tremendous encouragement to us and we want you to know that you are loved and appreciated for your invaluable contributions to our work.