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January 22, 2004

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.

Purpose-Driven prison church sheds ‘yard’ violence

JAMESTOWN, Calif. (BP)–If you were to walk onto "the yard" at the Sierra Conservation Center, a prison in Jamestown, Calif., you would soon notice the standard foot attire. No one dares go to the yard without his prison boots. Since the possibility of a fight between rival gangs and ethnic groups breaking out at any moment is high, every prisoner needs his boots for extra mobility and protection. In fact, a prisoner who walks out without his boots might be disciplined by those in his gang.

COMMENTARY: What happened when the ‘most powerful’ visited the ‘most powerless’

Angel Tree, our Prison Fellowship program for prisoners’ children, is one of the great unheralded volunteer outreaches in America. Over the Christmas holidays these past few weeks, approximately 100,000 volunteers delivered Angel Tree gifts to more than 525,000 children of inmates.

Interdivisional council focuses on Florida prison ministries

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—An interdivisional council among the Florida Baptist Convention staff is finding ways to help Florida Baptists effectively administer Christ’s love to imprisoned criminals—an often forgotten segment of society.

Resources

Resources available for Prison Ministry