The Florida Senate

944.803  Faith-based programs for inmates.--

(1)  The Legislature finds and declares that faith-based programs offered in state and private correctional institutions and facilities have the potential to facilitate inmate institutional adjustment, help inmates assume personal responsibility, and reduce recidivism.

(2)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Corrections and the private vendors operating private correctional facilities shall continuously:

(a)  Measure recidivism rates for inmates who have participated in religious programs;

(b)  Increase the number of volunteers who minister to inmates from various faith-based institutions in the community;

(c)  Develop community linkages with churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based institutions to assist inmates in their release back into the community; and

(d)  Fund through the use of annual appropriations, in department facilities, and through inmate welfare trust funds pursuant to s. 945.215, in private facilities, an adequate number of chaplains and support staff to operate faith-based programs in correctional institutions.

(3)  By March 1, 2002, the department must have at least three additional faith-based dormitory programs fully operational and by June 1, 2002, the department must have at least three more faith-based dormitory programs fully operational, for a total of six new programs fully operational by June 1, 2002. These six programs shall be similar to and in addition to the current faith-based pilot program. The six new programs shall be a joint effort with the department and faith-based service groups within the community. The department shall ensure that an inmate's faith orientation, or lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to a faith-based program and that the program does not attempt to convert an inmate toward a particular faith or religious preference. The programs shall operate 24 hours a day within the existing correctional facilities. The programs must emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, meaningful work, education, substance abuse treatment, and peer support. Participation in the faith-based dormitory program shall be voluntary. However, at least 80 percent of the inmates participating in this program must be within 36 months of release. Assignment to these programs shall be based on evaluation and the length of time the inmate is projected to be assigned to that particular institution. In evaluating an inmate for this program, priority shall be given to inmates who have shown an indication for substance abuse. A right to substance abuse program services is not stated, intended, or otherwise implied by this subsection. The department may not remove an inmate once assigned to the program except for the purposes of population management, for inmate conduct that may subject the inmate to disciplinary confinement or loss of gain-time, for physical or mental health concerns, or for security or safety concerns. To support the programming component, the department shall assign a chaplain and a full-time clerical support person dedicated to each dormitory to implement and monitor the program and to strengthen volunteer participation and support. By January 1, 2004, the department shall submit an evaluation report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the faith-based dormitory program. The report must contain the findings from an extensive and scientifically sound evaluation of the program, including at least a longitudinal followup of the inmates who have successfully completed the program compared to other similar inmates who have not participated and an opinion survey of the faith-based service providers.

(4)  Effective October 1, 2001, the Department of Corrections shall assign chaplains to community correctional centers authorized pursuant to s. 945.091(1)(b). These chaplains shall strengthen volunteer participation by recruiting volunteers in the community to assist inmates in transition, and, if requested by the inmate, placement in a mentoring program or at a contracted substance abuse transition housing program. When placing an inmate in a contracted program, the chaplain shall work with the institutional transition assistance specialist in an effort to successfully place the released inmate.

(5)  The department shall ensure that any faith component of any program authorized in this chapter is offered on a voluntary basis and, an offender's faith orientation, or lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to a faith-based program and that the program does not attempt to convert an offender toward a particular faith or religious preference.

(6)  The department shall ensure that state funds are not expended for the purpose of furthering religious indoctrination, but rather, that state funds are expended for purposes of furthering the secular goals of criminal rehabilitation, the successful reintegration of offenders into the community, and the reduction of recidivism.

History.--s. 19, ch. 97-78; s. 4, ch. 98-388; s. 13, ch. 2001-110; s. 8, ch. 2003-179.