God-Talk is Cheap. the workbook for the Fierce Landscape prison program.

Two recent decisions have been made about this program, as of the first week in September, 2006.
1. Because many have praised the program for its inclusiveness, its effectiveness and uniqueness, the have encouraged us to seek grants for program promotion and dissemination. I have decided not to do this, as one important aspect of the program is that our volunteers do this for love. Money is bound to change or corrupt the program as it is. We shall stay an entirely volunteer program funded out of our own pockets.
2. We shall publish the workbook for use by others and by future inmates in the program. Up to now I have taken several days to assemble the workbook every several months because of turn over and new needs. Both inmates and volunteers will purchase the workbook for a small amount to be determined by cost of printing.

GOD-TALK IS CHEAP
A Workbook and Program for an
Evidence-Based Prison Ministry
by Rev. Dr. Paschal Baute,
Pastoral Psychologist

Preface

God-talk is Cheap is the name given to the workbook of an evidence-based prison ministry program. Talking about God or scripture, praying, singing hymns or preaching does not change people, only behavior does. Prison ministry til now has tended to emphasize preaching, study of the Bible, and the learning of concepts of faith. Many inmates become converted in prison but lose “God” when they walk out the door. Lacking is the sustained endeavor to change personal habits and attitudes. We have not spelled out sufficiently both awareness needed and the practice of the new behaviors necessary to change a life of addiction and law-breaking. We have not understood the psychology of the addictive offenders’ life style.

This program is based on some 20 years of correctional consulting, from Federal, to state levels, to local detention centers, both adults and juveniles. Since I am both a pastoral psychologist, active in interfaith spiritual growth, former coach and athletic director, also former monk, former military (Army and Navy) and retired marital and family counselor, specialist in group dynamics, this program is INCLUSIVE, providing many tools of every kind for the transformation necessary in a correctional setting. Tools address the physical, the emotional, the psychological, and the social and community aspects of change.

We propose the jail / prison experience as the necessary, God-given checkpoint and singular opportunity to be alone with self and God and others and to become transformed. We call this program The Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior and teach the incarceration experience as the necessary "Boot camp" needed for change. Inmates have not learned to be regularly accountable and responsible. When we have never learned to love ourselves in a mature way, we cannot love others or be responsible.

This program integrates Bible reading, meditation, exercise, feedback, daily practice of new skills, group leadership, and the facing of typical and common games addictive offenders play. Facing oneself and our typical blindness to ourselves is a core issue in the changes necessary. This workbook contains the checklists, inventories and handouts employed. They may be copied and used for your program in prison ministry as you deem useful and necessary. They may not be re-sold. Proper attribution is expected.