Evaluation of Florida's Faith- and Character-Based Institutions

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Abstract

This report summarizes findings from a process and impact evaluation of two of Florida's Faith- and Character-based Institutions (FCBIs). The FCBI model is designed to rehabilitate adult prisoners by offering a vast array of faith and self betterment programs that are delivered by community volunteers. The UI research team gathered and analyzed data from: (1) one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with facility administrators, correctional officers, program staff, chaplains, and volunteers; (2) focus groups with inmates housed in the FCBIs; (3) administrative data on FCBI and general population inmates; (4) official documents; and (5) telephone and email communications with state corrections officials.

Introduction

The role of adult correctional facilities in promoting public safety continues to be a prominent issue for states and localities throughout the country. In the past several decades, the traditional mission of institutional corrections has focused on housing inmates safely and securely, with an emphasis on incapacitation rather than rehabilitation. This incapacitation approach to corrections focuses on removing criminals from society and preventing them from committing crime during the period of their incarceration. Recently, however, corrections officials have begun to embrace a more expansive philosophy that aims to promote institutional security while also preparing inmates to lead productive and law abiding lives after release. These rehabilitative efforts incorporate both formal programs and the development of an overall correctional environment that contributes to the self betterment of the people housed there. Some models rely upon faith, spirituality and character development as key components of inmate rehabilitation, echoing the growing national popularity of faith-based models for addressing a range of social issues (McDaniel et al. 2005, Johnson et al. 2002). Typically, faith-based correctional programs are directed at a subset of inmates, sometimes in a single housing unit, rather than being implemented facility wide (NICIC 2005, Johnson and Larson 2003).

On December 24, 2003, however, Florida became the first state in the country to dedicate an entire publicly-run correctional facility to a faith-based model when it converted Lawtey, a male facility located near Jacksonville, into a Faith- and Character-Based Institution (FCBI). In April of the following year, the Hillsborough Faith- and Character-Based Institution opened near Tampa, offering female inmates access to the FCBI program.

The fact that both Lawtey and Hillsborough have been in operation for over three years provides an opportunity to examine the FCBI model and the results of these unique environments on both the inprison and post-release behaviors of those who have been housed there. To date, only a handful of studies have explored the effectiveness of faith-based programs serving adult prisoners (O’Connor 2005, Johnson et al. 2002). These studies have produced tentatively positive or inconclusive findings, and most are characterized by a number of methodological limitations (Mears et al. 2006, O’Connor 2005). However, a significant body of literature does exist linking religiosity and participation in religious activities to positive outcomes for health and well-being, such as lower levels of substance abuse and depression and increased self-esteem and optimism (Johnson et al. 2002). Such positive outcomes might reasonably be expected to result in better in-prison behavior and greater success once released from prison, providing a theoretical foundation for the FCBI model.

This research provides the first formal study of Florida’s FCBIs, and is guided by three research questions: (1) What are the FCBI objectives? (2) How are these objectives achieved? and (3) What are the FCBI outcomes? The report addresses these questions by describing the mission and philosophy behind the FCBIs, how they are staffed and operated, the types of inmates who are served, and what programs are offered. The report then explores successes and challenges of the model thus far, followed by a quantitative analysis of how FCBI inmates compare to their counterparts in general population facilities with regard to recidivism outcomes. The report closes with a discussion of implications for program design and practice for Florida’s FCBIs and other faith-based corrections models.

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The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

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