Study of Faith-Based Prison Program Reports Promising Results; Prison Fellowship to Release IFI Study Findings 6/16/2003
From: Jennifer Sheran or Rob Forrester, 770-813-0000 or 770-757-5031 (cell); Web: http://www.DeMossNewsPond.com/pf News Advisory: -- Study of Faith-Based Prison Program Reports Promising Results -- Prison Fellowship to Release Study Findings on InnerChange Freedom Initiative On Wednesday, June 18, the results of a significant, independent study of a faith and values-based prisoner rehabilitation program will be released at a media briefing at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. The interview panel will include: Chuck Colson, chairman of Prison Fellowship, Mark Earley, president of Prison Fellowship and former Virginia Attorney General, Byron Johnson, director and distinguished senior fellow at the Center for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society, and several graduates of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative program (IFI). The study, conducted by Byron Johnson of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society, with the International Center for the Integration of Health and Spirituality, examines the impact of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative on the recidivism rates of participating inmates. Among the topics to be discussed at Wednesday's briefing include the following: -- What impact does participation in the InnerChange Freedom Initiative have on prisoner recidivism (both re-arrest and re-conviction rates)? -- What are the effects of post-prison mentoring on recidivism rates? -- What is the role of "spiritual transformation" in the IFI program's success? What: Media briefing on the results of an evaluation of the InnerChange Freedom Initiative's faith and values-based prisoner rehabilitation program Who: -- Chuck Colson, chairman and founder of Prison Fellowship -- Mark Earley, president of Prison Fellowship -- Byron Johnson, researcher -- Program graduates When: Wednesday, June 18, 12:30 p.m. (lunch will be provided) Where: J.W. Marriott Hotel, 331 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (at 14th Street), Rayburn Room |