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| Nation's Largest Private Correctional System Launches Major Faith-Based Partnership |
| By Press Release |
| Published: 05/09/2003 |
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NASHVILLE, TN - Corrections Corporation of America [NYSE: CXW] today announced sweeping plans to launch faith-based programs in each of its correctional facilities over the next three years. The initiative aims to improve inmate and staff safety, lower prison costs and re-incarceration rates (recidivism), and return a better individual to society. Dallas-based Bill Glass Champions for Life (CFL), operator of one of the nation's largest and most successful evangelical prison ministries, will partner with CCA to provide the programs, based on three decades of prison ministry experience. 'If we neglect the spiritual component of rehabilitation, we do a tremendous disservice to the individuals in our care,' said CCA Chief Operating Officer Jim Seaton. 'Our primary goal is to ensure the safety of our staff, inmates and the public, and be a positive presence in the communities we serve. We strive to provide not only a safe and secure environment but also meaningful opportunities for inmates to prepare for a successful transition back to society. Faith-based programming strongly supports these goals.' Champions for Life Founder Bill Glass underscored the importance of including a spiritual component in the rehabilitation program mix. 'The need to educate inmates is well-documented,' Glass said. 'Educational programs are good they're necessary. But education alone isn't the answer to reducing the rate of re-incarceration, which now looms at nearly 70 percent nationally. Faith-based programs address core issues of behavior, and often produce a change of heart that can propel inmates into a productive, law-abiding life after prison. High quality education, life skills and religious programs, working together, can increase an offender's chances for success following their release by providing them with stronger values, purpose and direction.' A growing body of evidence exists to support the benefits of faith-based programs, Glass said, citing the Texas Journal of Corrections' February 2002 study, 'Assessing the Impact of Religious Programs and Prison Industry on Recidivism.' The analysis revealed that Brazilian inmates who participated in faith-based prison programs experienced only a 16 percent re-arrest rate following their release, compared to re-arrest rates of between 50 to 70 percent among the general prison population in that country. Champions for Life has pioneered programming to stimulate prisoners to consider the role of religion in their lives and future. During these programs, inmates voluntarily meet in the prison yard, attracted there by music and other entertainment. Superstar athletes, entertainers and reformed criminals share inspirational and motivational personal stories. Then CFL's trained ministry volunteers -- many who come from across the country at their own expense to participate in these programs -- talk with inmates one-on-one about life-changing faith. Champions for Life partners with other ministries to follow up with those inmates who want to pursue a new life centered on God, rather than crime. CCA first invited CFL into one of its facilities in 1991, and the two organizations began working together on a small scale. Prison officials were impressed with the program's effectiveness and gradually increased the number of invitations -- to 17 facilities in 2002. Under the new agreement, CFL will have access to approximately 60,000 inmates in CCA's 59 facilities in the United States and the District of Columbia. CCA and CFL will share the costs associated with implementing the agreement. CCA is the nation's largest owner and operator of privatized correctional and detention facilities, behind only the federal government and four states. The company also provides inmate transportation services for governmental agencies. CFL is an international non-denominational 501c(3) serving families, youth, at-risk juveniles and inmates. Its prison arm operates one of the nation's largest and oldest evangelical prison ministries, having pioneered modern-day prison outreach programs, and served as a launching pad for scores of other prison ministries worldwide. For more information and photos, visit the media pages on CCA's website at www.correctionscorp.com or visit CFL's website at www.lifechampions.org. Media members are invited to tour a CCA facility before, during or after a CFL event. Contact CCA or CFL for the complete 2003 schedule or to register for a tour. |
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