NCJ Number
211356
Date Published
2003
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of a Texas faith-based prerelease/postrelease prison program entitled, The InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI), which is operated by Prison Fellowship Ministries.
Abstract
Under a contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the IFI, which was launched in April 1997, operates as a volunteer program that is anchored in Christian biblical teaching, life-skills education, and group accountability designed to reshape attitudes and behaviors through a spiritual transformation. Participants complete 24 months of in-prison programs prior to their release and 6 to 12 months of aftercare following release. The evaluation reanalyzed data previously compiled and analyzed by the Criminal Justice Policy Council of Texas. The evaluation tracked the 2-year postrelease recidivism of inmates who entered the IFI programs from April 1997 through January 1999 and were released from prison prior to September 1, 2000. This report also summarizes the findings of an intensive onsite, multiyear field study of IFI, including in-depth interviews with IFI staff and participants. Comparison groups (n=1,754) were matched with program participants from the records of inmates released during the evaluation period and who met program selection criteria but did not enter the program. The 177 IFI participants included 75 who completed all phases of the program ("IFI graduates"), 51 who were paroled early, 24 who voluntarily quit the program, 19 who were removed for disciplinary reasons, 7 who were removed at staff request, and 1 who was removed for serious medical problems. During the 2-year postrelease period, 17.3 percent of IFI graduates and 35 percent of the controls were arrested. Graduates not only completed the in-prison phase but also adhered to the aftercare phase, which involved holding a job and being an active church member for 3 consecutive months following release. 6 tables and 47 notes