Nation’s first faith-based prison opens in Florida

LAWTEY (FBW)—According to Lawtey Correctional Institute chaplain William Wright, the success of America’s first faith-based prison is dependent on the willingness of volunteers to participate. Prison officials are appealing to individuals and churches for help in guiding the spiritual lives of almost 800 prisoners who have chosen to be housed at Lawtey.

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"We need volunteers’ time, money, books, musical instruments — you name it," said Wright. "We have volunteers working now, but many more are needed."

Gov. Jeb Bush dedicated the Lawtey facility Dec. 24, saying, "This faith-based facility and the programs being offered will make a tremendous difference and change the lives of many individuals by creating a pathway out of the criminal justice system."

The prison houses only inmates who choose to be housed there. They must request admission and they must have no disciplinary infractions for at least 12 months prior to entering the faith-based facility. Prisoners of 33 different faiths are serving time at Lawtey.

Wright is one of only two professional chaplains working at the facility. Volunteer dorm chaplains assist in the spiritual teaching and counseling.

Southern Baptist pastor Paul Smith serves as volunteer chaplain of Dorms D and E, two of the eight residences. His church, Miracle Baptist Church in east Stuart, has allowed him to be absent from his church field four days a week since the prison opened. His active evangelism ministry in Martin County Correctional Institution in Palm City, heralded by prison officials there, spawned an invitation to be on the ground floor of the new faith-based prison.

"I knew I had to be obedient to what God was calling me to do. He said He would provide," Smith told Florida Baptist Witness "Then, sure enough, I got here and right down the road is New River Baptist Association. I talked with [director of missions] Jerry Gesell and was embraced by him. He has helped me make contact with other churches and pastors in the area That is what is so wonderful about being a Southern Baptist, part of the Florida Baptist Convention - part of a network."

Southern Baptist churches and individuals are sponsoring his two dorms. A dorm sponsor works with the Lawtey Administrative Committee in "the overall organization and operation of a faith-based dorm within the institution," according to a prison brochure. The sponsor provides the dorm with a dorm chaplain, mentors, educators and volunteers; and provides funding for the dorm. Start up cost per dorm is about $10,000 for the first year.

Mission Statement: "The mission of the Lawtey Faith Based Institution is to provide the Florida Department of Corrections with a prototype correctional institution that incorporates personal faith as a catalyst to effect inner transformation of inmates and thereby fulfill the department’s two primary objectives: 1. Protect the public by operating a safe, secure and efficient prison. 2. Reduce the rate of recidivism."

The State of Florida provides an inmate’s housing and food and other basic needs, but no state funds may be spent on faith-based activities. These activities, because of the nature of the prison, are offered seven days a week.

"We need the saints of God to step up the plate and support this - especially in Jacksonville, Lawtey, Starke and Gainsville," Smith said. "We have to take our spiritual training outside of the four walls of the church. We want to touch hearts with doctrinal training, but we also want to provide contacts for referrals for jobs, churches, housing when these men get out — so that they’re not just coming out with a bus ticket and $100."

A major goal of the faith-based institution is to reduce the normal 38% recidivism rate of prisoners. The prison’s success will largely be based on its recidivism rate.

Smith hopes to eventually enlist enough volunteers to provide one-to-one mentoring. For now, he needs men to be spiritual mentors to groups of 8-10 prisoners in one-hour weekly sessions. In the barrack-style dorm, bunk beds are arranged in "pods" which house groups of ten, who are accountable to an "encourager."

Jerry Gesell, New River Baptist Association DOM, preached to D and E residents Jan. 13 in the prison gym. The residents - except about 20 prisoners of non-Christian faiths who opted not to attend — sang to the accompaniment of donated instruments, listened to the inmate choir, heard a testimony and prayed before Gesell preached. The two-hour service centered on "hope in Jesus Christ," according to Gesell.

Gesell noted that the inmates seem to have a genuine interest in turning their lives around and are "really excited to see volunteers coming in."

Volunteers must be screened by the Department of Corrections, attend a 2-hour DOC training course and a 2-hour training session about the distinct differences of a faith-based prison.

The Lawtey Correctional Institute is under scrutiny by church-state separatist groups — particularly Americans United for Separation of Church and State, whish has requested all public records associated with the prison, according to an Associated Press report.

"We know that we are being watched by separatists groups, and we are careful to not force faith on anyone. We walk a tightrope," Smith said. "We are respectful and we do not proselytize. However, we do want those of other faiths to see the Christians’ walk and know Who is the true God."

Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Chaplain Wright at 904-782-3811, or by e-mail lawteyci@mail.dc.state.fl.us.