Keeping the Faith: A Commitment to Diverse Religious Support

As our friends in the clergy will tell us, never underestimate the power of prayer. The ability of faith to transform and improve lives is demonstrated throughout the world every day and nowhere more so than a correctional facility. And it’s a belief that transcends not just any one formula or single type of faith practice.

Faith-based programs are an integral and growing part of the inmate rehabilitation opportunities at every CCA facility. Cultivating and nurturing the spirituality of inmates is a proven way to help them attain a moral and ethical foundation. The result is hope, a change in thinking patterns and an improved individual capable of doing the things necessary to avoid a return to incarceration.

CCA’s faith-based programs are non-denominational, completely voluntary and available to all inmates. CCA discovered many years ago that inmates who open themselves up to a faith-based message are much more likely to achieve the kind of results that all of our inmate programs strive for. Comprehensive faith-based programs have achieved great success in producing inmates who are capable of being successfully integrated back into society.

One of the most successful of CCA’s faith-based initiatives is a series of speeches and seminars delivered by famous athletes and entertainers. These events grab the attention of inmates and deliver a message of how faith can get them back on the right track.

Other programs include a non-sectarian training and service program dedicated to changing lives through Bible and other textual study. They include seminars, programs, instruction and other methods designed to build life skills and change thinking patterns.

CCA, and a small number of other prisons across the country, offer Residential Community Programs that are faith-based, completely voluntary, and non-sectarian. These Residential Programs offer healthy character development in an environment that promotes pro-social attitudes and life skills.

An additional program reaches beyond the prison walls to connect with the children of inmates and involve them in the religious development of the parents.

Faith-Based Partnerships

The logistics and expense of putting faith-based programs into CCA facilities throughout the nation are considerable. That’s where a number of partnerships come in. Several leading national and international ministries assist in the direction and administration of the programs, helping to refine and improve them each and every day.

  • Champions for Life. Texas-based minister Bill Glass’ Champions for Life was founded as a prison ministry in 1972. Glass and his crew of volunteer “teammates” bring inmates the message of the gospel. Athletes, entertainers and musicians are all part of the team.
  • Child Evangelism Fellowship, an international, faith-based organization that has spread the message of hope, reconciliation and rehabilitation to inmates at more than 60 CCA facilities across the country.
  • Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry.
  • Prison Fellowship Ministry, a nationwide organization providing spiritual guidance and support for inmates both during and after their time of incarceration.
  • Purpose-Driven Ministry. Founded by Pastor Rick Warren, this California-based network has grown into a global coalition of congregations in 162 countries. Its representatives being the message of Christianity and the “purpose-driven life” to inmates.
  • School of Christ International, a Texas-based organization that has provided both ministry and chaplain training for CCA facilities.
  • Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the world’s largest religious network and America’s most watched faith network, launch an initiative in 2008 called Second Chance, which brings Christian TV programming into CCA facilities at no cost.
  • Wheels for the World, a program developed by the Joni and Friends organization, presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people with disabilities and their families served through our programs that refurbish wheel chairs, walkers, and similar items for disabled. These ‘like new’ wheel chairs are then distributed in many nations where such items a largely unavailable to the poor.

Local Volunteer Support

Few of CCA’s faith-based initiatives would be possible without the volunteer assistance provided by local churches, ministries and faith groups. Countless hours are devoted by those seeking to share life-changing spirituality to the prison population.