NCJ Number
206862
Date Published
2004
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the role of the faith community in prisoner reentry and successful reintegration and that faith may be a factor in reducing crime problems.
Abstract
Today, the exponential increases in incarceration have resulted in more than 2 million prisoners and over a half million ex-prisoners reentering communities each year. These challenges facing corrections planners and policymakers provide an opportunity to examine more extensively about prospective partners in steering prisoner reentry. This report discusses trends in corrections, the role of religion or the church in reentry and existing research. It acknowledges that the faith community is a likely partner in prisoner reentry. Over the past 25 years, there has been a resurgence of religion in corrections resulting in the increase of diverse faith practices entering prison settings and the number of religious services and activities increasing. The historic role of the church combined with its potential for volunteer resources uniquely position the faith community to support the successful reentry or reintegration of returning prisoners to the community. There is also empirical evidence suggesting that religious beliefs reduce crime and recidivism among adult prisoners. The report briefly discusses the evaluation of the Kairos Horizon program conducted by the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF). The Kairos Horizon program is an outgrowth of the Kairos Prison Ministry and is a faith-based residential rehabilitation program for prisoner and their families. In conclusion, the faith community is seen as a potential partner in prisoner reentry and positioned to provide a variety of services to support the successful reintegration of returning prisoners.