Research Paper (Debate)

Motion: This house would use faith based rehabilitation in prison. 

Side: Government 

 Definition:  

Faith Based Rehabilitation Centers 

1. Same therapy and tools as non-spiritual facilities but teaches spiritual principles. 

2. Doesn’t focus on religious dogmas, but on universal principles of love, faith, forgiveness, and healing. 

3. Participating in religious programs is optional. 

4. Belief in a Higher Power plays an important role. 

5. Focuses on moral transformation. 

6. Relies on volunteers. 
 

 Recidivism 

1. Tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
 

 Parameters (scope): 

1. This debate only includes criminals who graduate from the program. 
 

 Argument 1: Faith Based Rehabilitation is beneficial to not only the patients but also to the state.

Evidences:

1. Reliance on volunteers would mean the state wouldn’t have to spend money on hiring people. 

2. Inmates who undergo faith based rehabilitation end up becoming good citizens after their incarceration. (i.e. Charles Colson – During his time in prison he became a born-again Christian and after his release, founded non-profit organizations such as Prison Fellowship Ministries and Justice Fellowship.)  

3. Most Faith Based Rehabilitation graduates end up serving the community.  

4. Faith Based Rehabilitation is inexpensive. (i.e. A study by O’Connor and Perreyclear stated that the yearly cost of religious services was between $150-$250 per inmate while correctional programs cost $14,000 per inmate.) 

 Argument 2: Faith based rehabilitation is more effective than secular rehabilitation. Particularly, inmates who undergo faith based rehabilitation have a smaller chance of recidivism. 

Evidences:

1. According to a study by Johnson, Larson, and Pitts, inmates who were most active in Bible studies were significantly less likely to be rearrested during the follow-up period. 

2. Teen Challenge, a faith based rehabilitation program, according to Time Magazine is far better than secular treatments, as it has a 70 percent success rate.  

3. According to a study by O’Connor and Perreyclear, as religious involvement increased the number of inmates with infractions decreased. 

4. Faith Based Rehabilitation improves prison discipline.  

5. Misconduct decreased by 68% and recidivism fell by 66% at Darrington Prison, Houston once they started implementing seminary programs. 
 

 Argument 3: Spirituality helps people experience positive emotions and is beneficial to their health. Thus, it is effective in helping inmates undertake the road to change, recovery, and purpose.

Evidences:
1. Studies indicate that those who are spiritual tend to have a more positive outlook and a better quality of life. 

2. The seminary program in Angola Prison, Louisiana is credited for impacting the lives and environment of most of its inmates. (i.e. According to Warden Burl Cain, the number of violent accidents decreased as much as 80% since the seminary accepted its first students.) 

3. According to Grant Duwe, a director of research for the Department of Corrections in Minnesota, Christian Theology is very compatible with a pro-social, law-abiding lifestyle.  

4. Faith Based Rehabilitation which emphasizes faith gives inmates hope and gets them started on a path towards changing their lives. 

5. According to Joshua Hays, a research associate, religious programs can bolster values and that religious faiths instill values, such as integrity, trustworthiness, accountability, and personal responsibility that are helpful in rehabilitation.  

Argument 4: Spirituality gives people a sense of purpose and would thus be helpful in the reintegration of the inmates to society. 

Evidences:

1. Two major factors predict recidivism: How former inmates think and who they associate with. Faith Based Programs tackle both factors. 

2. Faith-based rehabilitation offers a way of thinking that is not aggressive. 

3. The 24/7 availability of the volunteers to the inmates creates a social, supportive, and nurturing working environment.  

4. Spirituality gives people a sense of identity and purpose. (i.e. Justin Singleton - After undergoing Faith Based Rehabilitation, became a pastor for another prison church group and is now a lead mentor at the Angola Prison’s small engine repair school. “Before I came to this place (Angola Prison) I didn’t have an identity. When I was called to the seminary, God told me that even though I was in prison serving a life sentence, my life still mattered, I still had a purpose and He expected me to fulfill my purpose regardless where I am.”) 

5.  The community of volunteers contributes to lower recidivism. The inmates are easily accepted by the community after their rehabilitation. This makes it easier for inmates to reintegrate themselves into society since it gives them “somewhere” to go.