A new faith-based dormitory is scheduled to open at the Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan later this month. The facility will be run by Prison Fellowship staff, and will seek to prepare inmates to return to life outside of prison, fully reconciled to their families and their communities.
Ultimately, the program plans to house 160 prisoners who are within 2-4 years of release. Between 75 and 100 prisoners have already signed-up for the initial 40 slots.
According to prison warden Sherry Burt, the program seeks to address issues such as anger, substance abuse, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. She suggests that if the program proves effective in reducing recidivism, it could be expanded to other facilities throughout the state, or even the establishment of an entire faith-based facility.
Studies of similar programs in other states have shown a decrease in reoffending rates for participants. A report released in February of this year focusing on a Prison Fellowship-run facility in Minnesota found that participation in the program resulted in a 26-40 percent in recidivism.
To learn more about the new program in Michigan, click here.