Lawtey Correctional Institution in Lawtey, Fla., the first faith-based prison in the country, is praised by some for motivating prisoners to change their lives, while others criticize it for violating the U.S. Constitution, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Feb. 16.
The prison alliance between church and state serves 800 inmates in Lawtey and another 600 men and women in religious-based dorms at nine other state prisons.
Inmates volunteer to live at Lawtey, with warden and chaplains making the final selection based on a person's good behavior and release date, which generally come within 18 months.
In one area of the facility, a group of inmates is praying and chanting in a circle. In another section, community meeting nights are held, featuring inmates in a band playing gospel music.
Critics of the program ask whether Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is taking a financial risk by assuming that recidivism would be lower among inmates who have turned to God. Others, including state legislators, question whether Christian inmates at Lawtey will receive special treatment.
Over the past four years, the state has spent $7 million on faith-based prisons. The funding includes the creation of dorms and the salaries of 102 chaplains, as well as faith-based mentoring, life-skills classes, and addiction treatment.
Advocates of the programs said the culture would motivate inmates to change their behavior so they don't return to a life of drugs and crime.
"I think it will work," said Bush. "We're going to measure it and study it and make sure that's the case."