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All stories from North America and the Caribbean

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Connecting Children and Incarcerated Fathers in Texas

In October 2007, the InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI) in Texas began a new programme called Storybook Dads. Managed by current inmates, this programme allows men in prison to record their voices reading children’s books.

IFI Iowa Receives a New Blow

In February, the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) announced that it will cancel the contract for the InnerChange Freedom Initiative. In making the decision, prison officials cited contract provision that allows the DOC to cancel the programme if the enrolment is less than 60 participants. With 27 participants graduating on March 14, 2008, this occurred.

He Korowai Whakapono – Annual Report – October 2005 – June 2007

Report from the PF New Zealand faith-based Unit He Korowai Whakapono after 3 years and 8 months of operation.

PF USA Receives Favourable Decision in IFI Lawsuit

PFUSA has been defending their Community of Restoration, called InnerChange Freedom Initiative IFI), against claims that it violates the US Constitution’s provisions about church and state. Last year a trial court ruled that IFI’s contract with the Iowa Department of Corrections was unconstitutional and demanded not only that the program be closed down, but also that IFI reimburse the state government $1.5 million dollars). This was appealed to the federal appellate court and a decision was handed down earlier this week.

IFI Update

IFI in Texas celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Iowa programme loses funding and a new programme opens for women in Missouri.

Advancing Restorative Justice in Trinidad and Tobago

On 27 June 2005, PF Trinidad and Tobago held a one day conference titled “Restorative Justice the Model for Social Justice.”

Site Description: Kansas InnerChange Freedom Initiative

The InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI) Kansas program commenced on March 31st 2000, as a separate unit within the WCF facility, with its first ‘student’1 group of 47 volunteers, some of whom turned down their Parole in order to join. It is the third Prison Fellowship U.S.A. replication of the APAC concept first introduced in Brasil in 1972, and later in Ecuador and Peru.

Site Description: Iowa InnerChange Freedom Initiative

This is PF USA’s second replication using the name InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI). PF USA opened its first IFI Unit in Houston, Texas, in April 1997. Operating from Unit ‘E’ at the Newton Correctional Facility (NCF), situated 35 miles east of Des Moines, IFI Iowa occupies part of the NCF, a long term, medium security, male prison, with a total population of around 750 inmates.

Site Description: Houston InnerChange Freedom Initiative

This prototype site opened on April 21 1997 with 25 inmates. IFI is a Unit within the Jester II 400 bed prison compound, which is a “trustee” camp with the lowest custody (security) level of prison inmates. IFI is a joint effort of Prison Fellowship Ministries, Houston Texas area churches and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Modelled on the APAC Prison in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brasil that was founded in 1973, the groundwork was laid by Texas Governor George Bush’s Advisory Task Force on Faith Based Community Service Groups, (See December 1996, Executive Summary, “FAITH IN ACTION: A New Vision for Church-State Cooperation in Texas”).

The InnerChange Freedom Initiative™: A Christian Prison Community

IFI holds great promise for prisons throughout America and the world. This paper outlines the philosophy and underlying principles of The InnerChange Freedom Initiative. The program is very different from many other rehabilitative programs that have come before.

Reconciliation Under the Sycamore Tree

The prisoner had just admitted that he was in prison for killing a man, but he said he saw no reason why his victim’s survivors would want to meet with him. One of the listeners, herself the mother of a murder victim, leaned forward and said, “I can think of many reasons. Tell me, how long did it take for your victim to die? Did he suffer? Did he know he was dying? Did he ask for his mother? Did you feel joy as his life slipped away?” As she asked each question the prisoner answered, and at the end of the five minute dialogue the entire group was moved. “It was a Holy Spirit moment,” one observer remembered.

Meeting at the Sycamore Tree Part 2

We did interviews to get extensive assessments from both the victims and offenders, and their words offer a stronger and more objective endorsement that I ever could. Noted one victim whose daughter was murdered some 20 years ago, “The past 12 weeks have nurtured and matured me emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I have learned so much that could never be found inside a book, a schoolroom or even a church.” Said another, “I can finally drive by “men in white” [prisoners] working on the roadside, and not see each one as the man who killed my daughter.” The inmates were no less moved. “I think that it was beneficial for the men because it helped us move toward reconciliation with those we have offended. In many cases, this was the first time the men had made steps in that direction. It was awesome to watch the victims take steps toward recognizing our humanness as well.” This project has allowed us to see the depth of God ‘s desire to heal the broken lives of those injured by crime. It opened the doors toward the Church moving forward to stand in the gap between the victim and the offender, and offering God’s love to heal. It was just a start. But what a start and what a blessing! There is still much more work to be done as God continues to guide us.