Texas

On 26 April 2007, the InnerChange Freedom Initiatives (IFI) in Texas marked its tenth year in operation. The first program to implement the APAC-based methodology in the United States, IFI-Texas has served more than 1300 offenders over its first decade. The anniversary followed the most recent graduation of participants from the programme on 24 April Twenty-five former IFI participants returned to the prison with family members to participate in the graduation ceremony. A 10th Anniversary Celebration will be held in August at the Carol Vance Unit in Sugarland, Texas.

Iowa

In Iowa, IFI continues to face the possibility of closure. The Iowa state legislature decided to not renew the US$310,000 contract with IFI to continue the programme. The current programme funding will expire on 1 July 2007. Currently, IFI USA is negotiating with the Iowa Department of Corrections to continue the programme with the use of private funding. The legislature’s decision follows a June 2006 ruling by a federal judge that the InnerChange Freedom Initiative as operated in Iowa was unconstitutional. The case is still in appeal; however, a decision not to renew the contract could bring the appeals case to an end without a ruling.

Missouri

On 4 June, the InnerChange Freedom Initiative launched a programme for women at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia, Missouri. The programme at WERCDCC is the second IFI to open in Missouri. In March 2006, an IFI programme opened at the Algoa Correctional Center for men.

 

For more information about the InnerChange Freedom Initiative see http://www.ifiprison.org.

July 2007