A Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior

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Summary Overview Fayette County Program, April 2009

2009-04-26T15:04:00.000-04:00

THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROGRAM
Paschal Baute, Ed. D., Pastoral Psychologist.
Www.paschalbaute.com
Summary Overview, April 2009

Weekly detention center ministry was begun in the summer of 2002. After many visits with Chaplain Stevenson, a program emphasizing the tools of Spiritual Growth was proposed, accepted and begun in March of 2003, with the approval of Major Todd Eads, then program officer. Correctional consulting and ministry was not new to me, as I had begun consulting and teaching in the Federal Correctional system as well as working with delinquent juveniles in the early 1970s. The current chaplain, Rev. Gerard Howell has been supportive and enthusiastic.

The Spiritual Growth program emphasizes tools for behavior change, not merely talk or God-talk. The inmate must demonstrate three changes while in the program: A) the development of an inner life, by prayer, study, meditation and completion of inventories asking for self -examination; B) the daily practice of positive behavior, listening, learning, and following a personal regime of regulated activity: C) Each must be open to ongoing feedback from all others, learning to recognize the blind side and to deal with negative feelings constructively.

We do not believe this program can be successful without daily group process. Addiction is not simply to a substance. It is a life-style with several other addictive processes. For example, there is always an addiction to self-justification. This is why a person can stop drinking but remain a “dry alcoholic,” still with the compulsive thinking patterns that can justify self-defeating behavior. A second pervasive hidden addiction is the addiction to procrastination. There is not merely systemic habits of self-justification that is occasional, but professional procrastinating that is also endemic. Addicts are full of good intentions, but they do not execute. They know they must “try,” but do not know that “trying” is not, is never sufficient. They must act, not try.

The 12 week program has ten necessary components: 1) The workbook of checklists, inventories and handouts compiled by Paschal Baute, pastoral psychologist on the basis of many years experience as a therapist in helping people face themselves and change; 2) A core of volunteers who give their time freely with one regular visit per week, who also offer a diversity of views of spiritual growth; 3) Understanding the Addictive Culture and te Culture of Self-Justification of Irresponsibility and psychological games; 4) Volunteers must be leading a deep personal life of faith and spirituality; 5) Volunteers must be educated as to the community resources for transition; 6) The power of the inmate group to support, encourage, confront and evoke necessary social skills and to help develop leadership skills, 7) The surrender of each inmate to the Higher Power in the working of their own program, which is physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual--engaging body, mind, soul, and heart, a total program of change and transformation; 8) Inmates are held accountable by each other and by their group with regular one on one review with a counselor; 9) much writing is crucial for personal assessment and insight; and a number of questionnaire provided.; 10) an effective Re-entry program which is described separately. Each of these eight components is essential to the program as it has been developed over the past 40 some months.

The program teaches the detention experience as the Training Ground, or “boot-camp” necessary for change. Acceptance into the program is by interview. Only about one in ten is ready for the work involved. We call the program The Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior. Radical self-examination, intensive work on self, social skills, forgiveness, and anger is required. The program and leadership is guided by a workbook on how to become a competent spiritual athlete by attending to everything one does. The ultimate goal is an ex-offender brotherhood of Spiritual Warriors to support one another and be a force for change and education in the community.

Leadership is two fold, first by the volunteers who provide one lesson per week, each with a special flavor illustrating tasks for spiritual growth. Each volunteer brings their own faith journey and life experience to the weekly discussions, motivated by love. Graduation can occur upon successful completion in a 12 week program. The second necessary leadership program is provided by the inmates themselves, with regular afternoon meetings with shared leadership, and role modeling, counseling, coaching and mentoring of one another as a regular daily part.

The Life Possibilities Re-entry program, under the direction of Moe Mercier is the “wrap around” program that makes the Spiritual Growth program effective for community transition. It is explained elsewhere. This begins shortly after admission to the program, and includes specific planning for every aspect of re-entry, family, job, place to stay, etc.

Remarks by Judge Bouvier at the Detention Center annual awards event

2008-01-24T09:44:00.000-05:00

It is an honor for me to be invited here to help celebrate your work as volunteers at the jail. In Matthew 25:36 the Lord tells those who enter into Heaven: “I was naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye came unto me.” Those who were sent into the everlasting fire were told: “ . . . I was in prison and ye visited me not.”

To a Catholic, “To visit the imprisoned” is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy.

You who are involved in prison ministries and education deserve special commendation, or to return to the theme of Matthew 25, a special place in heaven.

First, because of the people you work with. Imprisonment as the primary method of punishment for crimes is historically relatively new. Throughout history there have been prisoners, but most of them were only held awaiting trial for which the punishment would be death or whipping or maiming.

When the early Christians would visit prisoners it was most often members of their own faith who, like the Apostle Paul, were imprisoned for practicing or preaching their religion. Other common types of long-term prisoners in centuries past included people held for ransom like King Richard the Lionhearted or those imprisoned for debt. In those cases people would most often be visiting friends, acquaintances or family members who were not accused of any crime.

As we did away with most capital offenses and no longer use beating, maiming and disfigurement as punishment, those who we can visit in prisons and jails are a concentration of a different type: dysfunctional in many ways, often sociopathic or mentally ill, frequently hostile or untruthful, and not always grateful.

I saw it myself as a public defender, and I have seen public defenders and pro bono attorneys spit on by their clients, have water poured on them, even physically assaulted, and that’s just in court.
When a prisoner asks me for probation or early release I go to my computer and check the inmate’s institutional behavior record. Frequently, I see page after page of insults, curses and threats against jailers, medical staff, Comprehensive Care, probation officers and other prisoners.. I know that there are many, maybe even most, who don’t act that way, but I salute you for directing your efforts toward a difficult population.

It is not always easy to see Christ in them or to get satisfaction out of what you are doing. It is easier to contribute to a children’s charity or to crusade against a disease, where the victims seem more innocent and deserving. It is easier to drive that last nail in a Habitat house and know that the house will be there tomorrow and next week and next year.

In prison ministries the frustration of recidivism and failure is always present, but you have had the courage to persevere. I sometimes had that kind of experience as a public defender. I would get some guy off on a charge or get him probation, and the next Monday morning he’d be sitting there in the holdover with a silly grin on his face and a new charge. I get that same look from guys who I just put on probation and then they show up on the docket a few days later. I applaud your willingness to keep trying with folks who sometimes seem determined not to benefit from your help.

The second reason that I applaud your work is that you aren’t just visiting the imprisoned, providing a break in the monotony and the comfort of human contact. You are also bringing something of value to them: literacy, employment skills, spiritual enlightenment, anger management or help in coping with substance abuse.

It’s a cliche to say that someone “makes a difference.” Well, the difference can be positive or negative. The inmates here have made a negative difference. They have damaged the lives of others through the things they have done. Not just the legal victims of their crimes, but their own families. A few years ago I prosecuted a guy on drug charges. His mother tried to testify on his behalf, but as she described the things he did, like how she was evicted from her apartment because he stole her rent money to support his addiction, it became obvious that having him gone would be the only way she got any relief.

Other families have been financially devastated by attorneys’ fees and bail bonds, especially when the defendant jumps bail and the bond is forfeited. In too many cases grandparents are raising the children.

I assume that most of you read the Herald-Leader series which followed the lady through Drug Court. Tragically, according to the articles, the step-father who went to prison for incest was the closest thing to a stable and responsible adult in the family. The rest of the family would get drunk or high and leave the kids with him.

This is a copy of last week’s Hancock County Clarion, from Hawesville, KY. It has an article about a faith-based drug and alcohol program called Celebrate Recovery. The man in the picture started the group when he found himself raising his grandchildren after his meth-addicted daughter abandoned them.

I have talked about these things, not to bash the inmates, but to emphasize why it is so important to have people like you who can teach the skills that will enable these guys to act in a way which is not harmful to others. Even if you only reach a few of them, that effect will ripple out and provide relief to all those would otherwise be harmed.

The third thing you do is to provide examples of people who are mature and trustworthy. People who say, “I’ll be back tomorrow” and actually come back tomorrow. People who do things for others, whether you do it because you see Christ in them or simply because it is the right thing to do. This may be the most important part of what you do, because many of them, due to their lifestyles and the people they associate with, have a warped view of what is normal. Your presence in the lives of these inmates shows them that people can be dependable and responsible.

For all of these reasons, I congratulate you and thank you for your work here.

What ministry can serve to recruit....?

2008-01-19T07:10:00.000-05:00

What Ministry Can Serve to Recruit

a Reluctant Non-canonical priest?

(A possible story for Diaspora?)

by Paschal Baute

One of the best "treats" in attending many conventions of married priests has been the learning of the diverse ministries shared by those attending, learning mostly informally, between workshops, which was often the best part for me.

(I have wondered why we have not featured our own more than seek known inspirational speakers?. The most telling remark I ever heard was a casual one, from a newly married priest who shared: "I have had more self-empying in my young marriage than I ever had in my priesthood!")

In central Kentucky I have served for many years as informal convener of our group of colleagues but a particular challenge was always out of my reach. One married priest friend would attend our conferences, listen politely but remain skeptical of any personal involvement in ministry, sometimes raising conservative type questions about what we were doing. He was devout and bright but remained aloof from return to the ministries we were doing. Multi-lingual, he was successful in business and later in college teaching, he was personable with many friends. He was not interested in FCM or Corpus.

In the summer of 2002, I began looking around for more opportunity to exercise priestly ministry. I began by asking myself where among human needs was a Catholic priest seldom seen? Nursing homes, retirement villages and the county jail or detention center was the answer. I took on all three, but this is the story of the third, the county detention center here with 1200 beds. I began visiting inmates with the correctional chaplain for several months in that summer. We would go together to answer particular inmate requests. I soon began to feel that I could do much more than one on one visits.

I had worked in correctional settings for some 16 years, ran many therapy groups both there and elsewhere, and retreats with much interfaith work. That August, I conceived and proposed a difference kind of therapeutic program, interfaith, accepting all Wisdom traditions, but emphasizing the tools of spiritual growth, not talk about God or the Bible. After much discussion, the principles were approved. Fortunately, then Lt. Eads, a Buddist, was the instrumental as administrative "gatekeeper." I started alone in March of 2003. I quickly realized it this kind of program was going to work, we would need more volunteers and I began recruiting, eventually some ten who would last. It was not until we had regular daily lessons for example, that the inmates were motivated to have their own afternoon group sessions and lake leadership roles. Volunteers gave two hours per week at the time of their choice, and basically shared their own faith journey with some attention to the workbook of exercises developed by myself. The program was called "The Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior." The philosophy was that these repeat addictive offenders needed a rude environment for a spiritual "boot-camp" experience and the hard work at hand.

Our Spiritual Growth Network of Kentucky, meeting since 1989 was our sponsoring group and source of early volunteers. By early 2004, we had recruited almost enough volunteers although there was turn over. (Now we have a half day training every 3 months for our program volunteers). Busy though he was, now teaching at two universities, and having only a few hours on Saturday morning free, I decided to call on my reluctant married priest friend. Could he, would he respond to this obvious human need where he needed to bring only his own faith witness? He did not need to do sacraments. To my surprise, he said yes and this gave the program six daily lessons to fill a week.

My friend has been one of the most regular of all volunteers rarely missing a session only upon necessity – where regularity is important to our program inmates. Recently, my friend told me, "Paschal, you have given my priesthood back to me!"

He is so involved, passionate and competent in this weekly lessons that I learned some inmates plan all week to come up with a question about God, faith or religion that might stump him. So profound and learned is his faith, that I cannot imagine Rev. Father Guido Caspani, Ph.D., Professor of Romance Languages, teaching Spanish, French and Italian and Honors Programs in two current universities, is ever stumped!

What makes this program "work" best of all is that the inmates experience the loving commitment of a diverse group of faithful volunteers, regularly. They experience faith being expressed in many ways. Chaplain Howell told me he once asked the inmate group whether they thought I was "Christian." They finally agreed that I was indeed a Christian but a "very different kind of one." Should we all be so?

Inmates must complete 12 weeks of work, behavior change, before they can earn a certificate. We do have too much turn over in a detention, basically a holding facility, but over 100 have had some exposure to our program and many have told us it is the best program they have ever been part of.

The program has been blessed in many ways, the quality of the volunteers, and by the recent chaplain who jumped in and became one of the program leaders. He tell us this group is the highlight of his work week. I think it is because he observes real change coming out of the group process that is ongoing.

I was surprised and humbled when Guido told me what he did. I never thought I might be a tool in someone recovering their lost priestliness.

What was it? What was the key here?

Was it "When the student is ready the teacher will appear." (Zen Saying?) Simply timely?

Or was it that anointed and blessed hands are haunted by some words:

"The Spirit of the Lord has been give to me

for he has anointed me.

He has sent to bring good news to the poor

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and to the blind new sight.

To set the downtrodden free

and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favor."

–Luke 4: 18-19, Jerusalem Bible.

When we hear that Voice, we cannot help but respond.

Outcome? Guido is blessed. I am blessed. The inmates in our program are blessed. The program and the team of volunteers is blessed. Correctional staff in the unit of 8 pods with 96 inmates notices behavior changes. A bit of kindness and love has been added to the universe. There is hope where there was none. The universe itself smiles.

____

End

Further information on this program can be found at paschal’s web site, paschalbaute.com, clicking on blogs and go down to Fierce Landscape blog. The workbook has been digitized and is now available free via email. Contact Paschal@paschalbaute.com.

Reference (and recommended, see internet for reviews)

Lane, Belden C. The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

WHAT IS REFRAMING

2007-09-09T16:19:00.001-04:00

Definition
Reframing is a technique that originated in the field of family therapy and that we have adapted to our work with youth and adults.

Reframing is based on the observation that we all have stories about ourselves. The organizing themes of some people's stories are constructive, for instance, "I am shrewd. I've always have the ability to watch out for myself. As a child, I used those skills to escape the worst of my father's abuse. Today the same skills are my strongest suit."

Other stories are destructive. They cause considerable pain and get in the way of a productive life, for instance, "I was helpless as a child. I was a victim of my father's abuse. He damaged me irreparably. Now I can't do anything right or ever trust anyone again."

The technique of reframing capitalizes on the subjective nature of personal stories to uncover underlying, underemphasized themes in people's stories that are potentially helpful. Its purpose is to arrive at an authentic and helpful story, one that does not eliminate the pain that hardship can cause but that also includes the strength that is forged in the struggle to prevail.

We discovered the power of reframing in our research with men and women who had grown up in difficult situations and who were leading satisfying lives as adults, nonetheless. As they attempted to answer our questions regarding their success, many felt a special spark that they had never experienced before. In exploring this feeling with them, we learned about reframing.

We saw that in recalling the triumphs that were previously submerged in their stories, the men and women we interviewed began to see themselves in a new light. No longer were pain and symptoms at the center of their plot. No longer did they characterize themselves as damaged merchandise. Now they could tell a reframed story that was more constructive. Its theme was pride, and its plot revolved on their bravery, resourcefulness, determination, and all they had done to help themselves.

Practical Applications of Reframing
If you are a clinician, teacher, youth worker, or interested party you can use the technique of reframing. All you need to do is earn enough trust to encourage an honest conversation. You also need to be curious, to listen without making judgments, and to have a road map or vocabulary for identifying strengths when they come up. Then you can point them out, give them a name and talk about them again. In the process, you will see for yourself the power of a reframed story. You will watch people who consider themselves bad, helpless or damaged change. They will become aware of their own strengths and resources to help themselves, and they will begin to act accordingly
sOURCE:
http://projectresilience.com/reframing.htm

"If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off." is a humorous reframe. .

Volunteers Meeting at Paschals Sept 8, Sat

2007-09-06T12:35:00.000-04:00

Ann (& Mike) Barbara, Eva, Gerard, Guido, Joanna, Mary, Mo, Nick, Steve, Turner,and. . .
(a few new volunteer guests - Mo, please cc them, Donnie and ? )

It is time once more for our quarterly meeting.

Please mark your calendars for our quartenly Detention Center volunteers, Spiritual Growth program meeting, to be held on Saturday, September 8 (after Labor Day weekend), at Paschal's conference room, Winchester Road, 10:30 to 2:00, potluck. Libations provided. (glass of wine at end to celebrate a total of five years of programming).

Agenda to be announced by Mo Mercier.
will include intros to new volunteers
(Do you have a friend you wish to invite as an orientation, please let me know. email is sufficient)

BTW, After three months of work, 24 truckloads of dirt, sand and mulch, and Turner Lyman's genius in design and execution, we are proud that you might be an early visitor to our new Labyrinth finally complete. You may wish to come early or stay afterwards to walk it (or simply a look-see at our luncheon break) You are also invited to bring a stone, should you choose, to add to the SGN of Ky cair, as a "spiritual friend" of the group that initially inspired and began our program.
More information can be found at Paschal's blog. (click here)

http://labyrinthlexingtonky.blogspot.com/2007/08/labyrinth-walking-meditation.html

Namely these brief subjects:
Labyrinth: A Walking Meditation" (intro)
"Walking the Labyrinth: some tips"
"Symbolism of this labyrinth"
"Information, construction, etc...
"The Cairn"
(ask me for a picture if you want one)
A public dedication is planned later this fall.

Namaste.
See you soon, and September, one of my favorite months will be upon us.
Paschal.
Come early c. 10 for coffee and donuts

Next Meeting, June 9, of volunteers, (change from June 2)

2007-05-06T20:43:00.000-04:00

NEXT MEETING of SG volunteers, jail ministry, June 9, Paschal's place

TO: Lymans, Turner and Barbara, Joanna Cox, Guido Caspani, Gerard Howell, Nick Z, Steve Stone, Mike Kavanaugh, Mary Kane, Eva Hicks, Moe Mercier, and guests.

We are scheduling our quarterly update of our Detention Center Spiritual Growth ministry work for the second Saturday in March, Saturday, June 9, BYOL,, 10:30 to 2, but coffee and donuts at 10. RSVP requested.

Place: Paschal's conference room, Winchester Road.

A) We have a videography professional who wants to make a documentary of our work., self-financed. I assume that you are willing to be videotaped so that others, and hopefully, many others, might learn about what we - all of us - are doing and accomplishing in this interfaith and interdiscipinary rehabillitation program.
So come washed behind your ears, but casual professional dress (clean jeans, etc.) You may go to their web site: Blue Moon Multimedia to review their work. The videotaping will be done here.

B) An international business assessment company, Target Training International, Inc. through my 14 years of association with them and use of their instruments and creative feedback given, are going to supply the career profiling reports free for our inmates. This will be a huge step in their self-wareness program. I am working to get that done free also for all our volunteers. I will use about an hour on this training date to introduce you to the oldest way of understanding personality in history and some modern applications.

C) Each person will report on their ministries. Paschal will give an overview of the DISC view of personality differences and provide reports for those present. Moe Mercier will give an overview of changes in his Transition program and Life Possibilities.

Some really good things are happening although Mo Mercier is facing some changes in support for this Life Possibilities program. Basically we are looking for a home other than OWL for the transition program.

Be well. Spring has sprung. The songbirds start here about 6:02 a.m. and welcome the very first light of day gloriously. I did get to visit and walk the Labyrinth in the Lyman's backyard, which was a cool experience. Janette and I have decided to build one here this summer in memory of my friend John A McGill where we used to walk and talk together in the woods. Some of you might be interested in this oldest of spiritual exercise in history, found in all the ancient cultures, dating to some 3,000 B.C. I am told.

NEXT MEETING of SG volunteers, jail ministry, March 3, Paschal's place

2007-02-20T17:24:00.000-05:00

TO: Lymans, Turner and Barbara, Joanna Cox, Guido Caspani, Gerard Howell, Nick Z, Steve Stone, Mike Kavanaugh, Mary Kane, Eva Hicks, Moe Mercier, and (? newbies and perhaps an invited guests-MS)

We are scheduling our quarterly update of our Detention Center Spiritual Growth ministry work for the first Saturday in March, Saturday, March 3. potluck, 10:30 to 2, but coffee and donuts at 10. RSVP requested.

Place: Paschal's conference room, Winchester Road.

Moe Mercier will give an overview of the Transition program that has been developed with inmate feedback over the last 3 mos. And we will have a chance to catch up with each other. Maybe a new volunteer or two might be present. Nick and Steve will hopefully be with us also.

We aim to publish our book on our work and have copies available for review. It looks as if it will as of now be about 140 pp. including testimonials. We intend to use this for a grant application to secure money to advertize and train mentors for the transition phase work.

Thank you for this work in helping the least of our brothers and sisters.
Be well. Take small steps in icy weather.

Paschal.

"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human
history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to
improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends
forth a tiny ripple of hope, and ...those ripples build a current which
can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
Robert F. Kennedy, June 6, 1967, Cape Town

Views of the Chaplain, Rev. Gerard Howell, at the Detention Center

2006-09-30T20:18:00.000-04:00

For an introduction to a book underway describing the Fierce Landscape Spiritual Growth Program initiated here in 2003:

Paschal Baute, pastor, psychologist, professor, author and visionary has for a lifetime been a teacher, encourager, and a builder of community. Not only has he used his developed skills within the larger educational and working community but has freely invested himself with the persons who populate our jails and prisons. I find in this workbook many tools that are understandable and usable for the average person but which are built on a thorough knowledge of psychology and theology. These materials have been used by Baute and the volunteers in our interfaith approach to spirituality and transformation by use of group dynamics at Fayette County Detention Center.

Volunteers find it a helpful introduction to the subject matters that are absolutely necessary for the individuals and the group to journey toward transformation. The Spiritual Growth program has been one of the more dynamic programs within the Jail. Good seeds are being planted and that the participants are having an inter-faith, inter-ethnic group experience unlike what most men will ever make an effort to create. Led by a faithful core of volunteers under Baute’s leadership it has become for me one of the more meaningful events in which I share each week. Its power is the predictable development of a synergetic healing energy when the group begins to do its work throughout the twenty-four hours a day they share with each other in the subday room. This has become the core of our effort to help the re-entry of the participants into their new world.

Update on Prison Ministry Report, 9/27

2006-09-27T16:20:00.000-04:00

RE: inquires about the prison ministry work.described in issue of Diaspora. This is an evidence-based program emphasizing changed behavior and understanding that mere talk about God is often vain and cheap.
Update 9/27/06

Many of the inventories and handouts used in the Fierce Landscape workbook were developed and printed many years ago and are not stored electonically. Interest in this non-traditional ministry program is growing with requests for copies of the workbook which takes considerable time and energy to assemble in their present form..

So we are currently manually scanning and storing electronically the entire workbook so that it can be more easily made available to others. This way individuals can copy, edit, print and use whatever materials seem useful for their own setting and vision of prison ministry.

Sections
part 1 Intro and endorsements (Inmates report what the program is doing for them and how this is differently from previous programs; volunteers report their particular focus; Jail staff report their view of this work).10-15pp

Part 2 will be the actual workbook, c, 50 pp. This is actually an extended 12 step program challening radical self-examination and change.

Part 3 will be the Action Planning for effective transition from program to community, in all that OWL (that is the "wrap" for the SG program and the cooperative partnership with others) is bringing forth, including forms used to create a more seamless transition, 20 pp

Part 4 is to be The Larger View in Society, Prison Reform, examining the challlenges and inequities in the present Penal Code and overcrowding, etc, Work of community activists and UK Law Faculty professors views. 20 p

Part 5. References.

We expect eventually to get this published online.
In the meantime, if you want a hard copy (version #14 after 40 some months) , please offer to pay postage and handling costs and whatever printing costs may occur. We are currently aiming for October 15 for publication. We are aiming for no more than $10 for everything, inc. P & H & includes permission to copy any edit all of it for your own use.

We propose there is no other such complete interfaith correctional program known in the country, as this includes every aspect of human behavior, physical, emotional, psychological, social, community, faith, and group skills, with planning for transition. .

Latest update. We are getting recognition from the judicial court re the reach and effectiveness of this program, as well as out of county vocational rehabilitation officers interested in starting this program in other counties.

We have decided not to seek money re grants to support the Spiritual Growth in-house program, as it is the obvious love the volunteers demonstrate that makes a difference to the inmates. Money would corrupt that aspect. Our volunteers become hooked, that is, this one lesson per week becomes a vital part of their own faith journey.

Thanks for listening. Namaste.

Paschal Baute

New report being prepared on program, October 2006

2006-09-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

Underway is the digital collection of all documents, including the workbook, OWL re-entry program, documents on prison reform, etc. for purpose of making what we do easily accessible and copy-able by others. We aim for mid October, but may be later.
Here is the explanation of the Spiritual Growth program

THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROGRAM
Paschal Baute, Ed. D., Pastoral Psychologist.

In the fall of 2002, after many visits to the Fayette County Detention Center with Chaplain Stevenson, a program emphasizing the tools of Spiritual Growth was conceived, proposed and accepted in early 2003, with the approval of Major Todd Eads, then program officer. I had begun consulting and teaching in the Federal Correctional system as well as working with delinquent juveniles in the early 1970s. The current chaplain, Rev. Gerard Howell has been very supportive

The Spiritual Growth program emphasizes tools for behavior change, not merely talk or God-talk. The inmate must demonstrate three changes while in the program: A) the development of an inner life, by prayer, study, meditation and completion of inventories asking for self -examination; B) the daily practice of positive behavior, listening, learning, and following a personal regime of regulated activity: C) Each must be open to ongoing feedback from all others, learning to recognize the blind side and to deal with negative feelings constructively.

The 12 week program has four necessary legs: 1) The workbook of checklists, inventories and handouts compiled by Paschal Baute, pastoral psychologist on the basis of many years experience as a therapist in helping people face themselves and change; 2) A core of volunteers who give their time freely with one regular visit per week, who also offer a diversity of views of spiritual growth; 3) The power of the inmate group to support, encourage, confront necessary social skills and to help develop leadership skills, 4) The surrender of each inmate to the Higher Power in the working of their own program, which is physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual--engaging body, mind, soul, and heart, a total program of change and transformation. Each of these legs is essential to the program as it has been developed over the past 40 some months.

The program teaches the detention experience as the Training Ground, or "boot-camp" necessary for change. Acceptance into the program is by interview. Only about one in ten is ready for the work involved. We call the program The Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior. Radical self-examination, intensive work on self, social skills, forgiveness, and anger is required. The program and leadership is guided by a workbook on how to become a competent spiritual athlete by attending to everything one does. The ultimate goal is an ex-offender brotherhood of Spiritual Warriors to support one another and be a force for change and education in the community.

Leadership is two fold, first by the volunteers who come six days per week, each with a special flavor illustrating tasks for spiritual growth. Each volunteer brings their own faith journey and life experience to the weekly discussions, motivated by love. Graduation can occur upon successful completion in a 12 week program. The second necessary leadership program is provided by the inmates themselves, with regular afternoon meetings with shared leadership, and role modeling, counseling, coaching and mentoring of one another as a regular daily part.

The OWL Re-entry program, under the direction of Moe Mercier is the "wrap around" program that makes the Spiritual Growth program effective for community transition. It is explained elsewhere.

Mock Funeral Passage Ritual

2006-09-24T20:30:00.000-04:00

Mock Funeral Passage Rite
for Dramatizing Healing Graduation from
The Fierce Landscape Spiritual Growth Correctional Program
Fayette County Detention Center, Lexington, Ky
The 12 week program must be completed (shown in behavior change and
in writing ) and the entire correctional pod must consent.
Brothers are also invited to participate and lend prayers and blessings
at particular places as part of the ceremony. .

Purpose: Mock funeral passage rite for inmates, from the Old Man, Addiction, Sin, Selfishness, Shame, Guilt, Greed, Lust, etc., from being led by the Dark Forces of one’s own Nature and Evil in the world. Subject is prostrate to humble himself by renouncing all of the past.

AFFIRM the Passing over to the New Man, Alive in Grace, Mercy, Goodness, Truth, Forgiveness, Kindness, Open to Challenge, Ready to embrace all that Life offers and ready to accept to total consequences of my previous life, in humility and relying on the Power of God, accepting the summons to become a Spiritual Warrior in a new Brotherhood uner the protection of St. Michael the Archangel. Summons and commitments can be taken from that handout.

Upon completion of the 12 week program, the subject can apply for the Graduation Certificate and also for this passage ceremony. We begin by sitting in a circle in quiet prayer. Candidate for the Mock Funeral Passage rises and prostrates himself on the floor in the center of the group. He is covered with a black pall or black robe.

Prayers are selected by the facilitator, and he invites the members of the inmate community to join in. These can be chosen from the Baptismal Rite of the Book of Common Prayer or other passage rituals.

Dialogue in the prone position:
Facilitator: Who are you?
What is your name?
What do you ask for? "Death to sin, addiction, selfhishness and all of my past life of lies and deceits."
What else do you ask for? "Forgiveness and mercy."
Why do you ask? "Because I admit that I am helpless to change myself by by own efforts."
What have you come to in this program: Subject summaries in his own words.
Make you own confession of faults in your own words.
Now make your own confession of faith in your own words.

Do you recognize that accepting your woundedness, your brokenness is a Gift and
a constant summons to humility and grace?
What scriptures will you use as a shield against temptation.

Do you have a plan? Describe briefly your plan?

Will this group pronounce ________ dead to the old man of sin by mentioning behavior that supports this change?

In your own heart, surrender to the Love of God and promise to love him totally. As you do this each of us present sends the Love of God to your heart from our hearts.
Do You Promise to love your neighbor as yourself, to consider the least, lost, last and lame as your brothers? Answer: "I promise. . explicit words
Do you understand that this ceremony is only the beginning of your walk and you can only take one step at a time?
Facilitator leads all present in asking for God’s blessing on this man’s faith, hope and love.

Subject rises to stand, funeral pall taken off, and community surrounds him to place hands and shoulders and offer prayer, support, care, love, kindness, hope, and encouragement, in their own words.

Close with a simply celebretory song, such as Amazing Grace , Alleluia or Here I am, Lord.

First used, Fayette County Department of Correctional, September 25, 2006.
Comments invited.
Paschal Baute.

I first used this mock funeral years ago in group therapy with a young man who was compulsively suicidal who would not give up the suicidal ideation. Finally, We did a mock funeral and talked about him (under the funeral pall) and his sad death, with entire group participating. After about 20 minutes of listening, he got up suddently and said he was not ready to have people talk about him like that and he gave up the suicidal ideation and began to change.

Update on Prison minstry program in Lexington, KY

2006-09-21T20:54:00.000-04:00

RE: inquires about the prison ministry work.
described in Diaspora. This is an evidence-based program emphasizing changed behavior and understanding that mere talk about God is vain and cheap.
Update 9/21/06

Many of the inventories and handouts used in the
Fierce Landscape workbook were written and printed many years ago and are not stored electonically. Interest in this non-traditional ministry program is growing with requests for copies of the workbook which takes considerable time and energy to assemble in their present form..

So we are currently manually scanning and storing electronically the entire workbook so that it can be more easily made available to others. This way individuals can copy, edit, print and use whatever materials seem useful for their own setting and vision.

Sections
part 1 Intro and endorsements (Inmates report what the program is doing for them and how this is differently from previous programs).10-15pp

Part 2 will be the actual workbook, 50 pp.

Part 3 will be the Action Planning for effective transition from program to community, in all that OWL and the cooperative partnership with others is bringing forth, including forms used to create a more seamless transition, 20 pp

Part 4 is to be The larger View, Prison Reform, examining the challlenges and inequities in the present Penal Code and overcrowding, etc, Work of community activists and UK Law Faculty professors views. 20 p

Part 5. References.

We expect eventually to get this published online.
In the meantime, if you want a copy, please offer to pay postage and handling costs and whatever printing costs may occur. We are currently aiming for October 15 for publication. We are aiming for no more than $10 for everything. This includes permission to copy any and all of it for your own use.

We propose there is no other such correctional program known in the country, as this includes every aspect of human behavior, physical, emotional, psychological, social, community, faith, and group skills.

Latest update. We are getting recognition from the judicial court re the reach and effectiveness of this program, as well as out of county vocational rehabilitation officers interested in starting this program in other counties.

We have decided not to seek money re grants to support the Spiritual Growth in-house program, as it is the obvious love the volunteers demonstrate that makes a difference to the inmates. Money would corrupt that aspect. Our volunteers become hooked, that is, this one lesson per week becomes a vital part of their own faith journey.

Paschal Baute
www.paschalbaute.com/writing
and see Fierce Landscape blog for
other postings;

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

2006-09-07T20:42:00.000-04:00

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.

Herald-Leader features our Spiritual Growth Program, inmates and volunteers

2006-08-16T15:03:00.000-04:00

Program helps inmates reverse their bad habits

By Robin Roenker
HERALD-LEADER CORRESPONDENT

Jeff Dotson had made a lifetime habit of being a criminal. In and out of detention centers since the age of 11 -- thanks to his penchant for drugs and theft --his longest stint between incarcerations was only six months by the time he was 31.

Now 44, the Michigan native finds himself back in jail again, this time at the Fayette County Detention Center, charged with unlawfully seeking a controlled substance via a prescription that wasn't his own.

This time in jail is different, though, Dotson said.

"I realized I wanted something else for my life," Dotson said.

Thanks to a "spiritual growth" program called "A Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior," a completely volunteer-run initiative at the Fayette County Detention Center, Dotson and other inmates say they have learned to be more introspective and to accept responsibility for their actions. And they have vowed to make more positive choices once they're released from jail.

"It's about having a habit of making the right choices," said Ronald Birdsong, 38, a participant who first saw the inside of a jail cell at age 17. "You have to practice on that daily. When we were out, we had a habit of doing wrong. But now we have to think positively and learn to deal with our problems differently. That's how we'll break the cycle."

Stopping recidivism

Breaking the cycle of recidivism and offering inmates an opportunity to make a new life once released from jail is precisely the goal of the Fierce Landscape program, begun by pastoral psychologist Paschal Baute four years ago. To date, more than 100 inmates have participated in the program, Baute said, with the average participation about 60 days.

Participants in the program meet Monday through Saturday for an hour with a community volunteer and then also for an hour daily among themselves. Ten inmates can participate in the program at one time, all living together in a similar cell block or "pod" within the detention center.

Although the Bible is used in the program, workbooks with personal inventories, checklists and journaling opportunities are also key, Baute said. Inmates are encouraged to practice positive behaviors every day and to be open to learning constructive social skills.

Participants are screened by Baute and asked about their motivation for joining the program before being admitted.

"Only about one in 10 is ready for the experience," he said.

While many of the Fierce Landscape participants also take part in other programs available at the detention center -- including AA and other addiction support groups, Baute's program is "different," Dotson said.

"The volunteers who come in really care," Dotson said. "They don't just hand you the materials. If you want to make a change, this is the program for you."

Weekly commitment

Currently the program's 10 active volunteers commit to working with the detention center's participants for one hour each week.

"I've never been involved with a program that is so important, so effective and so necessary in my life," said Guido Caspani, an assistant professor at Kentucky State University who has volunteered with the program for 21/2 years.

"These guys have been in and out of jail all their lives, but they've reached the point where they say enough is enough. It shows that there is hope. And they realize that today can be the beginning of the rest of their lives if they accept the responsibility to change," Caspani said.

Retired husband and wife team Barbara and Turner Lyman volunteer each Thursday morning at the detention center. They try to share their "personal (spiritual) philosophies," encouraging participants to "pick from it what they can use," Turner Lyman said.

"These are just ordinary people who made a wrong decision, and I can relate to that," he said.

Eva Hicks, a Lexmark employee who has volunteered to help launch a new women's Fierce Landscape group off the ground, believes that the work is something she's supposed to be doing, she said.

One evening Hicks felt that the material she'd prepared was a bit off target, and she let the session become more informal, encouraging participants to share their stories. After one young woman did so, an older inmate in her cell-group immediately volunteered to help her learn to read, while others pledged their emotional support.

"You could actually see the mentoring unfold," Hicks said. "It was amazing."

Upon completion of the program, participants receive a "diploma," and they are also offered assistance with finding jobs and life skills counseling once they're released from jail, said volunteer Moe Mercier, who also works as director of program development at OWL (Opportunity for Work and Learning), Inc., a Lexington agency that offers transitional work opportunities.

The program found 46-year-old inmate Keith Ralls of Lexington just at the right time, he said.

"I realized it was time to grow up and be a man, to make amends with the people I've hurt. The program has offered us keys to give forgiveness and to get forgiveness," he said. "It's teaching me to love myself."

Request to video tape FF8 group discussions.

2006-06-28T08:27:00.000-04:00

June 28, 2006
Major Eads, FCDC

We are doing something different in The Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior FF8 group --part of my goal from the beginning. But now being regularly acccomplished (finally) even with the turnover. With regular volunteers, now near the beginning of our 4th year, we have helped create a working group process that has become a “therapeutic community.” The process involves openness and honesty, sharing at a deep level, facing oneself and how much hurt one has given loved ones, recognizing the uniqueness of each person, learning from one another, listening and changing habits and attitudes. In other words, facing and accomplishing the radical change necessary. Only a group process has the power to do this and it takes time to develop.

BTW, I specialized in group therapy for many years, and was a certified member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, so this substantial past experience has helped, together with a total of some 20 years correctional experience. I also did a workshop on Psychological Games Addictive / Offenders play and how to avoid the traps and burnout for the Tenth Annual Drug Court Conference that was recently completed and highly evaluated.

My guess is that FCDC does not have any other programs that are aiming for or accomplishing this kind of personal change via group process. No program that is merely teach, talk or study, in my opinion, can stimulate this kind of personal facing of one self and the change necessary to avoid recidivism.

We now have regular volunteers for six lessons per week and have recruited several women for a woman’s group, with Chaplain Howell’s generous cooperation. After several months, the women volunteers tell me they are finally getting to a group process with the women trusting each other enough to open up. It took us over a year to get to this level in FF8, where the sense of the group was strong enough for them to meet daily on their own, taking turns in leader roles.

Our current project is inviting these inmates to write a “Before, During and After” script for TV novella, or soap opera, which they are enthusiastically engaged in. Because the process of trust, openness, sharing and personal change is different from the usual didactive programs in corrections, I request, with your permission, that we plan as soon as possible to video tape one or several sessions of our group. Then also to tape the performance of the script, tentatively titled: “Being Crazy, Changing Crazy, Meeting Crazy later”

Allow me to say that this kind of deep group sharing can be instructive not only for the changes these men are making, but also serve as a useful demo for other correctional programs, for the women’s group, for volunteers and perhaps, should you deem it useful, even for your staff. I propose that we, the volunteers and the men in FF8 are demonstrating what is possible in programming, and what can give hope, energy and direction to others. It might even serve as a model of what can be accomplished in programming.

Administrative procedures would be necessary, sign-offs and releases, of course. Please consider arranging for the video-taping of an FF8 session. I will check back within a week for your thoughts.

Paschal Baute,
Priest and Psychologist
Spiritual Growth Network of Kentucky.
Www.paschalbaute.com
June 28, 2006

Prayer Service for an Inmate group

2006-03-10T04:40:00.000-05:00

Prayer service for inmate population
Rev. Dr. Paschal Baute
Note: when your mentoring of your therapeutic community
in corrections has reached a certain growth point you will know
when they are ready for a Responsory prayer service like this one.

Gospel song: Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve seen. (Gospel CD by Mahalia Jackson)

Leader followed by R = Response of Chorus (commnnity Response).

Praise the Lord R. Praise the Lord.
Why? R. He has brought us out of Egypt.
What was Egypt? R. Slavery of our people
What kind of slavery? R. Fleshpots and sin
What else? R. Drugs and self-seeking.
Anything else? R. Running and hiding
Running from whom? R. Running from the Love of the Lord.
What do you say now? R. Praise the Lord.
Why? R. Because he has brought us out of Egypt.
Praise the Lord. R. Praise the Lord, Alleluia.
(Pause, repeating silently, several times to oneself.)

So now we are in the desert. R. We are in the desert..
What is the desert? R. Facing myself..
Why is that a Desert? R. Hard work.
Why is it hard work? R. Who likes to do that?
Come again? R. Cause I don’t want to do this.
So the question is. . . R. What is the question?
Have you passed over? R. Have I passed over?
Have you been washed? R. Have I been washed?
You still know how to hedge. R. I still know now to hedge.
Have you been Washed. . .R. Yes?
By the blood of the Lamb? R. Not all. Not all of me.
Why not? R. We are still hankering.
Still hankering for the fleshpots? R. Yes, still too much.
Hankering for What? R. Pleasures of the Past.
Who is still hankering? R. I am still hankering.
Lord have mercy. R. Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy on us sinners. R. Lord have nercy on us sinners
(Pause) .
How will you stop? R. I will be washed.
When? R. Every day
How? R. By the Word.
How? R. By the Word. Through the Word.
How, again? R. By the Blood of the Lamb
Praise the Lord. R. Praise the Lord.
(Short silence for prayer of the heart)
Praise the Lord. R. Praise the Lord.
Are you a justifier? R. I am still a justifier.
What kind of justifier? R. I am a Champion Justifier.
Wht is that? R. I can justify doing anything.
Anything? R. Everything.
What else? R. I can justify doing nothing.
Now the questions is. . .R. What is the question?
Are you hedging again? R. I am also a champion hedger.
Lord have mercy. R. Lord have mercy.
(Silent pause, prayer of the heart)
Who have you hurt? R. Me. #1, over an over again.
Who else? R. Others.
How many others? R. Too many others.
Anyone special? R. Those who love me.
Lord have mercy. R. Lord have mercy.
When will you stop? R. NOW.
How will you stop? R. With God’s Help.
How will you pray? R. As if everything depended on God.
How will you work? R. As if everything depended on me.
Are both true? R. Both are true.
Say it again: R. I will pray as if everything depended on God.
What else? R. I will work as if everything depended on me.
What are you ready for? R. To give up the hankering.
What else are you ready for? R. To give up the justifying.
Praise the lord. R. Praise the Lord.
Alleluia R. Alleluia.

Gospel song: Come on Children, Let’s Sing ( Mahalia Jackson CD)

End: Silent prayer of the heart.
This may be copied and used without permission
Paschal Baute

New Seeds, Womens' unit, Lexington, Ky FCDC, February 17, 2006

2006-02-17T11:04:00.001-05:00

Good News. Exciting news.

Chaplain Howell is ready now for volunteers for the Women's "Grow Up" unit in EE. Please contact him ASAP, either for weekday assignment or to complete your security clearance so you can begin your visits. I am asking Joyce Carmouche, if she is willing and agrees, to serve as coordinator / contact for this program effort. Angie, Eva, or Joanna would be back up to her. You are urged to find one day per week, day or evening for your visit, and get on board with regular visits as soon as you can work out the details. Get your bid in right away. I understand that Eva is requesting Monday evening for her visit time. You might want at least one other walk thru visit with me first and we can arrange this for next Thursday.

Or if Joyce has her clearance you can arrange that with her. Her telephone is 272-5608. email jmouche@alltel.net, but she is teaching at EKU on MWFs, so more reachable at other times.

Email Chaplain Howell ghowell@lfucg.com

Angie, Eva, Mary, Joanna, Becky, and Joyce: Please RSVP me on this after you contact Chaplain Howell. The women's group was formed as a GROW UP group. See mission statement and goals below. This is congruent with the materials for men provided in the Fierce Landscape workbook that you have received. You will make a terrific core group of volunteers for these women inmates. They will love what you can bring.

Thank you for this caring service to these hurting women. Please also contact Moe Mercier at OWL safter you get started so what you are doing can be informed by all that the new task force on Effective Transitions and jobs, etc. available via OWL can be included. Mercier and Becky Cabe will arrange an orientation to you to the OWL opportunities for these women inmates. That is, we are providing for an effective transition for them upon leaving the correctional environment. In other words, we have good stuff waiting for them when they walk out the door.

Namaste

Paschal Baute.

GROW UP program

Metaphor: Planting and nurturing seeds. (Wonderful core metaphor for women since you know intimately about nurturing "seeds.")

Theory

The seeds symbolize the beginning of a journey for each individual involved in "Growing Up". With the right amount of time and attention, each person can make a change in their present situation. They will see the process of the seeds turning into stems and eventually into flowers. They will also recognize that while some days are better for the flowers, other days are not as good (too much rain, high winds, etc...) just as unexpected storms occur in lives. All the flowers will not grow at the same rate, which is a powerful lesson in itself about patience. The goal and the end result are to grow beautiful flowers as a result of hard work careful attention to a specific path and redirected efforts.

Procedures

Identify a specific life-changing goal to work toward.

Set short and long term personal goals.

Become involved in regular discussions regarding how to achieve personal goals.

Commit to completing writing assignments and/ or journals as instructec to reflect on discussions and revelations.

Commit to watching movies as assigned and be prepared to discuss thoughts on the movies.

____

Paschal: I am really excited about the possibilities of this program for all of you, both participants and volunteers. These women will really grow and prosper in their emotional and spiritual development when they can have lessons led daily in turn by your group, and you will love what this effort does for your own spiritual journey.

New Structure initiated this week. Twelve weeks of questions to be answered to complete our program and earn a Graduation Certificate.

2005-08-10T12:54:00.000-04:00

BECOMING A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR
Questions to Help Measure Your Progress
"Where your treasure is, there also is your heart." (Matthew 6:21)
Write answers in your composition book and be prepared to discuss
Name __________________ Date ________Dates in program______/______
Paschal Baute, August, 2005
1st WEEK

1. How is it that the strong determination to never return to jail is often not sufficient to keep one from doing so? (For example, what is often lacking?)
2. How completely will you admit that your life is or may be out of control?

3. How can your time here be an effectively healing experience for you?.
2nd WEEK

1. Explain what ADDICTION is? Signs and Symptoms?
2. Why is addiction so blind, so hurtful to others, and so common?
3. What do we know about remedies for addictive behavior?

3rd WEEK

1. Name the ways you have given yourself permission to continue hurtful behavior?
2. How is a decision to change, without measurable change, not enough?
3. Remedies for the Hole in my heart are: (Name essential ones)

4TH WEEK

1. Are you praying differently? Describe? Is Bible reading a choice or necessary? What is your program for listening to God’s Word?
2. Describe how you are more aware of yourself and your mental tricks?
3. Have you yet undertaken a complete moral inventory with one other person?

5th WEEK

1. Describe addictions have you faced? Describe your program & your progress so far.
2. Describe the personal discipline you have developed? For example, how are you saying “no” more often to yourself? List ways and means you use.
3. Is your anger less? Are your hair triggers less? What is your game plan for continuing this? Describe how you KNOW this it is working.

6TH WEEK

1. How necessary do you see FORGIVENESS? What exercises have you completed to A) let go of hurts; B) heal wrongs; and C) forgive yourself.
2. Describe how group work / discussion is necessary for your healing?
3. What positive addictions do you need and what will you develop?

7th WEEK

1. What authority shall I give to God in my life? How measure this?
2. Describe the changes you have made and how you measure them?
3. Can you honestly testify that others can see real changes in you? Explain.

8th WEEK

1. Describe your leadership in the pod and how you help others?
2. Describe your plan for action upon leaving?
3. How is your heart different? Describe how you are now your own master?

9th WEEK

Questions will be given by volunteer leaders, or you can develop your own.

10th WEEK Special Assignments from Volunteer Leaders
11th & 12th

Working with a Transition focus and planning.
Test on this program, written and oral. Application for Graduation Certificate,

What is working in our jail spiritual growth program for inmates?

2005-07-01T08:39:00.000-04:00

Report to Current volunteers, FF8
CC. Potential volunteers for this program
(planning for an Orientation program for new volunteers in July)
From Paschal Baute
July 1, 2005.

I survey the inmates in the FF8 “Fierce Landscape” Spiritual Growth program at the Fayette County Detention Center about every other month to determine and verify what is working and not working for them. The question for them is What is Helping You Change?

Here is the summary, taking first and second together, then third and fourth and summarizing.
Bible study, Brotherhood, Being around positive thinkers, praying, Resource-like books, Group meetings, Outside volunteers who are dedicated, Working on my plan of acting, Seeing someone do what I want to do, Jesus and Self-study. Two most commonly rated high were Being around like-minded persons or fellowship, and Learning from the group. Every single person ranked these two aspects highly. (The largest facilitator challenge in our 2.5 year program has been to get them to meet on their own and take turns leading that group, which they are now doing for some months)

Next, #3 and 4, also ranked high were: Sharing stories, Learning to be thankful, Taking on responsibility, the one on one counseling, Bible study, Learning different topics, Learning from one another, Beginning to believe in myself, Learning from others failures, Feedback from others, Sharing, Guidance and Prayer, Encouragement from others, and a sense of responsibility to the group and myself. Overall, we can say what is helping is the Learning environment we have helped create, from study, Bible, group, feedback, and encouragment from one another.

Age range is from 23 to 48. The number of years in addictive behavior ranges from 8 to 25, and practically all have been in jail numerous times, average 6 to ten. These are repeat offenders with a history of recidivism, who scarcely realize what radical changes are necessary for them to quit the addictive cycle. Above all, we can say they need hope and encouragment, but must learn how to obtain and learn and receive that from themselves. They have extensive patterns of hiding from themselves and others. My work this past month has been on the importance of becoming more open, and risking emotionally with each others.

This past week, I gave them two copies for their self-monitoring of a list of 27 behaviors to rate themselves on each day, and to give themselves a grade. I will review this itemized behavior program next time there.

On the reverse, I asked how the program could be improved.
A celebration every several months of achievements of goals.
More tools for the program
Fuller schedule
Christian pen pal
More one on one help
More career oriented materials
Variety of volunteers.
More supervision and structure to the program
Inspirational videos
Mandatory quiet time
More stories from the bible
More study of the bible
Better screening process for admitting to FF8
Better addictive programs, like AA and NA
Reward participants in some way, e.g. snacks.
Nothing, It is working fine.

We are hoping to add new volunteers to the program soon. In order to have one lesson daily, we need three more.

INTERFAITH FOOD RITUAL FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP

2005-05-23T06:22:00.000-04:00

Once monthly I visit our Spiritual Growth inmate pod at the County Detention Center, and offer a prayer service. May 22 in Fayette County unit was such an occasion. Here is the interfaith food ritual employed, for your copying and use. Songs we sung were Amazing Grace and Here I am, Lord.

BREAKING BREAD (Rev 11/30/04)
An interfaith food ritual beyond the Passover seder, beyond the
Last Supper, to embrace all the Abrahamic Wisdom traditions,
Hebrew, Christian and Muslim
(bread and grape juice on the table; with several leaders, of both genders)
SONG (standing)
Prayer for "Breaking Bread"
LEADER ONE: Before we break bread together, we pause to reflect on bread and community: both are the product of a marvelous cooperative effort. Let us affirm the individual ingredients which join together to form our food and drink.
LEADER TWO: Let us recall the human labor that goes into producing wheat, grinding to make the flour, from many grains, one substance for our bodies, the basic essence without which flour would not become bread: DIVERSITY IN OUR HUMAN DIGNITY. Next the shortening, the grease: OUR LAUGHTER which balances and enriches our lives. The liquid: the soothing and smoothing gentle KINDNESS which binds us together. The yeast, which raises us: Our hope and faith in things unseen yet "known." May we handle it gently and with respect, for it functions only within the warmth and security of love. The salt, which both preserves and makes savory: our honesty, the critical intelligence which seeks new truths and cherishes doubt. The sweetness: our grateful tears of thankfulness and appreciation for all that is good and beautiful. And finally the heat: the passionate conviction that fires a community to mutual commitment for peace and justice.
LEADER ONE (OFFERING)
The great symbolism in bread is used by all the Abrahamic Wisdom Traditions, Hebrew, Christian and Muslim. Bread represents life, love, renewal and deliverance. May we pause in silence to honor and appreciate the diverse and unique gifts we each bring to this table today, to encourage the making of community within our midst. So be it. (Each person speaks one word or so, of a gift you bring: some desire, hope, prayer, pain, dream, goal, etc.
SONG
LEADER TWO Let us pray.

COMMUNITY RECITES TOGETHER: Holy Mystery, / with us, / all around us, / and within us, / we begin our meal / in solidarity with the poor, / many so hungry / "that God cannot appear to them / except in the form of bread," / as Gandhi said. / We share their hunger – / for both food and for community – / and pray you will nourish us now,/ with this food and drink, / and with the kindness / and friendship of each other, / and with compassion for the earth / and for the whole family of all living things.
(A MOMENT OF SILENCE)
We put on the table / this ritual meal / as a symbol of our own gifts, / of the taste of our lives, / all our ups and downs, / our personal joys and hurts / our hopes and concerns, / our gains and our losses, / our gifts and our poverty / all our differences and diversities.
(A MOMENT OF SILENCE)
May the grains of our separate lives / form into one bread. / May the fruit of our separate lives / form into one drink, / and then be poured out / and broken / and given as nourishment for our communal life, / our common faith, / and our mutual friendship -- / no one better than anyone else, / all of us forgiven our faults / as we forgive others, / linked together, / this moment at least, / as if we were a single family, / united with all who have gone before us / into death, / in the holy communion of all humans.
THE COMMUNITY CONTINUES:
We again give thanks, / thinking of all those, living and dead, / who are symbolized by this food, / who seem present with us / in the breaking of the bread: / first of all the beloved prophets of the past, / Moses and Miriam,/ Jesus and his mother, / Mohammed, and for all those seekers of the Right Way who continue / to give birth to the Divine Mystery / amongst us / and in our world.
This bread symbolizes ourselves, / the taste of our lives / and the power of our shared experiences. / This drink is ourselves / and our lives poured out / in solidarity and human communion.
(The bread is broken and passed with the words: "The bread of life," and the drink passed as "The cup of solidarity." We sing.)
SHARED SILENCE, WHICH CAN BE USED FOR PERSONAL INTENTIONS, WHICH CAN BE OPENLY SHARED. “We remember here...” Each petition ends with “. . .Let us pray to the Lord.” Community reponds with “Lord hear our prayer.”
LEADER TWO (BENEDICTION)
May we go from this table, our lives as shared as bread and as poured out as wine. And may the blessing of the One God, merciful and gracious, the heart of all the prophets, and the Loving Presence that energizes the universe, be with us and within us. Amen.
ALL: “Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”
CLOSING SONG

Feedback f rom Inmates, 4/19/05, Paschal

2005-04-20T06:42:00.000-04:00

Feedback from Inmates, 4/19/05, Paschal.

Interviews with each of the Spiritual Growth inmates was held yesterday to determine what was working for them. All except one was interviewed.

Results were very positive, beyond expectations. One inmate said their pod was now so positive and powerful that the baddest person in the jail could be put in the remaining bunk and “we would transform him in a month.” When I offered to take him up on the offer, he admitted he was not that sure. Several said they had never really believed in service until now when they were experiencing it from Guido, Mercier, myself and the other volunteers.

What most helped was the fact that this program allowed them to buy in at their own pace, as opposed to other programs where behavior and study was mandated. Now that they were meeting regularly on their own, everyone was taking responsibility for leadership. All felt the atmosphere was very positive. I also asked for written feedback and here is some of it. The question was What is working in the program for you?

“It allows me to get answers to questions I have had for years. The people around me are very positive and this makes a hard situation more bearable.”
“Everyone gets along and respects the others. Being around a group of guys that keep it real and tell no one nothing wrong! This helps to keep one another UP.”
“By us running most of our program, it gives us a sensitivity of leadership, and shows that we really want to change.”
The program gives me hope for the future, the fellowship is a big thing for me, I love you and the volunteers. I commend you all, you made a difference.”
“The fellowship among us is very valuable because each one shares their strength and weakness with each other.”
“The sense of belief among us is what helps me. All of us in the program have something to share in their beliefs and I see how that makes us different but also the same, believing in One.”
“To be able to open up, talk about my life’s problems, being accepted for who I am, and where my spiritual journey may take me, and be real about life. Thank you.”
“What is making this work for me is that I do not want to walk back into that Hell I was living in. I have had enough. It depends on the person–whether they are ready or not cause through God all things are possible.”
“What I would like to see is discussion on etiquette and proper manners.”

I was able to congratulate each of them on the fact that it was each of them who was making the program work by the leadership they were showing in meeting on their own and creating such a positive environment in the pod.

I am feeling that the much energy that has gone into structuring this program and recruiting volunteers is at last paying off. We have managed somehow to help these men create something reallly different, a safe place where they can risk being themselves, truly learn from one another, and enjoy taking responsibility for creating a positive climate for their pod. It was a good day for me, during a week that has had dark shadows.

Meeting, Monday, March 28.

2005-03-28T20:38:00.000-05:00

We opened our meeting by sharing some thoughts on Good Friday and EASTER.
The chosen inmate then led our meeting on the topic CHANGE in our life. He prayed by using a reading and proceeded to cover how we need to change our old behaviors and make the future something different. He gave several examples how our families taught us some of our ways and how you believe this is the way. As you get older you realize changes are called for and a
decision is needed to make the future something you always wanted your life to be. Several of the members engaged in some good discussion. We talked about who makes world events happen? GOD OR Man?
Talked about the war in IRAQ, John F Kennedy’s assassination etc.This forced
some questions to be asked about their life and who’s doing all this
behavior to cause these events in our world and with self?

X did a good job and prepared well for his class on change.
We ended with two songs the group selected.
Next week we will complete the Career Scope Profiles and continue one on one
session.
Have a happy Easter week, all.
Moe

Good Friday

2005-03-28T19:25:00.000-05:00

The Spiritual Growth group of men were assigned prayers, responses and meditations on the Seven Last Words.

It was a great Good Friday experience. I loved the hearty sound of the men singing "Were you there?"
Gerard Howell

Progress report, March 17, St. Patrick's Feast.

2005-03-17T19:14:00.000-05:00

Had a marvelous day at the county jail this a.m., reviewing progress with four of our "Fierce Landscape" inmates their progress, plans and response to our program. The group itself played Gospel music while I interviewed these four who had been there for at least one month.

Personal progress reports were powerfully positive. Our program and their use of it, particularly in their own meetings every afternoon, taking leadership turns, has turned the program into a powerful spur for self-examination, sharing and healing. I felt really affirmed by all the work that has gone into this during the last 3 years, building a program, creating worksheets, recruiting volunteers, and using my experience to help develop this program. The regular Afro guard in FF also told me today that this program has also brought a blessing to him. When the guards report something like that we then something is working right.

They affirmed what they are learning from one another, the diversity of the volunteers' approaches, the use of the workbook, the afternoon sessions, and they all liked very much the new scripture study with Marjoe Thursday evening. So we now have a new lesson each day, six days per week, by volunteers, with Chaplain Howell taking the Friday session.

Paschal.

On the Incredible Giftedness of Life--your life!

2005-02-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

Lesson for the Fierce Landscape program, week of Feb. 21.

Once upon a time, a man loved a woman.
She loved him too. They made love.
Out of the joy of that moment, something wonderful happened, a miracle that we can scarcely even after five centuries of science hardly understand.

Your mother’s tiny egg, no bigger than the head of a needle, was met and pierced by your father’s tiny, tiny sperm. That tiny speck was one thousandth the size of your momma’s waiting yearning eager egg.

Your father brought in that tiny tiny speck of maleness, his total DNA, amounting to 3 billion digits. That met your mother’s DNA, also of a different 3 billion digits. Out of that joining was the very first spark of your life. At that moment the fertilized egg was throbbing with new energy of a DNA never before imagined in the cosmos. At that moment, every single characteristic of who you are today was contained: the size of your nose, the color of your eyes, the length of your body, every part that you now have was there in your genes, so tiny that only a microscope could find it.

Consider that moment did not have to happen. But it did, and you are here today. The miracle of your conception you can never grasp fully enough. You did not have to happen. But that spark did happen.

There followed the next miracle as that tiny egg now throbbing with life attached itself to the uterine wall of your mother’s body, after a little. But only after you had already multiplied many many times. The tiny egg that was you needed food and found a place to get it inside your mother. You grew and grew and grew and grew for nine whole months, and every step of that was also a miracle. It did not have to happen, but it did. You did.

After that long nesting, you--now weighing an incredible six pounds or so, were ready to emerge into the world. There was pain, great pain, blood and tearing, but suddenly, with a little help, there you were, a helpless rosy blood & fluid - covered infant, crying at the coldness of the real world. Another miracle. It did not have to happen.

Your lungs had to be cleared of fluid, you had to be inspected. But your tiny mouth was already eager for the nipple, and you began to drink the milk of your mother’s breast when you had no other awareness.

For many months, all you did was eat, sleep and poop, eat, sleep and poop, eat sleep poop. And someone was there every hour, if not every minute for days and months and several years to make sure you ate, and were kept clean of your poop.

The miracle that you were continued. You opened your eyes and looked and begin to see, and smell, and taste, and cry, and poop. See, smell, sleep, cry, poop.

You are today a walking miracle who did not deserve to be here. Your life is an incredible gift.

The greatest question in life is Why Are You Here at All. You did not have to be, and Yet, here you are. Why? Out of the great mother mystery matrix of millions and billions of years, here on this planet is each of you. Here I am, conscious of my unique life and I cannot even tell you why or how I am aware.

Every step or development of your life is a miracle.
Undeserved. What could any of you, any of us do to deserve the incredible gift of life that we have.

And look what we have survived, hook or crook, again, often undeservedly so. How many Guardian Angels have been protected this small child, this testing, climbing, reaching mischievous little boy that you were. This rebellious teen-ager. This boy child/man

We are daily, each morning we awaken, faced once more with the Giftedness of Life. How shall we spend it? What shall I do with my life today. 1000 waking minutes per day? 7000 waking minutes per week.

Now there is a hole in our heart longing for Something Else. Love, Ecstasy, Passion, Some Great fulfillment. We may have deepened, enlarged that hole by drugs, so we have created a huge craving for Something More.

Now here is the basic choice of human life. We shall always have Something Missing. We can and have often focused on that or we can choose to focus instead on the Miracle we are part of. Each of us choose. Daily, moment by moment. Will you cheat the Gift?

Do you choose to embrace the giftedness of life, the miracle that you are, the longing of love you are called into. Or will you choose to stay incomplete w. always a sense of Missing Something. One is Light, the other is Darkness. Resentment or Hope. Imagine! Choose!

Every minute of your life you choose to focus, either on What's Missing, or on the Miracle that calls you out of yourselves into Giftedness, celebration, love, joy, hope and newness.

–Meditation by Paschal Baute, 2/21/05

Toughening the program: markers & an unexpected THANKS

2005-02-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

Re: Apprentice Completion required for full admission to our program

I am warning our other volunteers to expect resistance to this new phase of our program development. Some inmates obviously did not like the idea. Several wanted to know Why Now? I might have said, had I been quick enough, because some former leaders in this program, really good men, are already back in jail with one or more felonies being charged. And we must always seek to make this program one that can not only help keep you out of jail, but summon and challenge you to examine how thorough and complete your life style change must be. The program must be developed.

Today, someone put a four page handwritten, unsigned, letter in Chaplain Howell's Admin box (I have not seen it) addressed to Chaplain Paschal Baute, Thanking him for the Fierce Landscape for the Spiritual Warrior program. Later I emailed the Chaplain there who had emailed me: "You must have had a great session Tuesday."

"Did not expect a warm response.
Put them on the spot. Demonstrated, (to some) that they were talking the talk and not walking it.

Only 1 out of 3 could tell me a scripture they had memorized for personal use. I said here you are complaning about time being heavy on your hands, admitting that your biggest personal problem was dealing wiht addictive thoughts, and you have not even extended yourself to learning a single scripture passage by heart. Hello!!!

Is that slacking off or not?

I said we are putting all sorts of tools in your hand, and you think that just by talking about these things, you are going to be able to go straight and be clean. I said most of you are probably just thinking about your highs next time without getting caught or breaking the law, in other words, simply being SLICKER. (One person said "That is what I have been doing")
What kind of commitment is that? I asked?

P.S. I can be good at confrontation, lots of practice holding business execs' feet to the fire (good trng also from wife, regularly, whose role in life, she admits, brags? is "Keeping me in my place!")

I expect some resistance to our placing these new markers and requiring one on one reviews and regarding their status as apprentices until they pass muster on that. Accountability is the name of the game for us, and we must be diligent and bold in demanding it. Too many prison programs are "Talk about God, read the Bible, pray, have good intentions, talk not walk." Anyone can do that for an hour or two a day and still be nothing changed when they leave.

NEW APPRENTICE PROGRAM STEP: Brief RepOrt : Correctional Program, Lexington, Fayette County.

2005-02-15T20:17:00.000-05:00

We now (finally) have volunteers leading a program every weekday and Saturday, and a full residential unit pod of ten inmates. We give reports on our meetings to one another via email, and since there are names involved, we prefer not to post these reports here. We will mark the main developments here. Copies of anything we do are available for using elsewhere.

One of our volunteers, a very experienced Program Director from another NPO is now heading up that program at OWL, planning coordination with all community agencies and transition programs to work and living, as well as coordination of new outreach programs from churches coming on board for prison ministries. See http://www.owlinc.net/

We have been studying Accountability in our Fierce Landscape program and decided that this needed to be strengthened. Today we started an Apprentice Program, required completion by all inmates. Some resistance.

The first month, would be Apprenticeship for the graduate or leadership program, successful completion necessary to qualify and remain for the second month.

A new 6 page guidebook was developed for completing the Apprentice Program, checklists, for review one on one with one of the volunteers, was given to each. They had questions. We said these were GUIDES but we expected them to use them not slack off.

As a demo of the tendency to slack off, I asked about half of them for their favorite scritpure quote and only 1 out of 3 could give one. I recalled that the main problem reported from most of them (hands 7 out of 10 today admitted) was pre-occupation with addictive thoughts and behavior.
Now what is the only two means beyond prayer and grace by which they can handle addictive thoughts when they have created a craving in their hearts for that life style? they did not know. 1. Staying busy, we discussed that. they agreed. I pointed out that the workbook provided many exercises nad inventories that they were not using.

What was #2? Falling in love. discovering a new Passion. Commitment of their heart, whole heart to a new way of being. They needed both. Thei workbook has a page teaching c. Addiction and another on Positive Addictions. More application and focus on what tools we were offering is an urgent remedy.
At the end each gave me a time when they expected to be ready for their apprentice review. Most gave me mid March.

To our volunteer Team:
We need this step for accountability. Otherwise we can have great talk, in the meetings, good meetings even on their own, but they can and will slack off on their own. Instead, at least, following up on the lead of Mercier, when they know they will have a one on one review and will be expected to review their progress according to several very specific checklists, they have a spur to do some real personal work, and not just drift or b-s their way.
Their essential work challenge is accountability. Unless we require it in this program, we can be being conned once more, and contributing to their shrewdness in being able to do so. Not Talk but Walk. ...
This was reviewed with Chaplain Howell and he agreed. The need for better accountability has emerged from my conversations with Mercier. Besides if others are going to use or adapt our program, they must be ready also to have markers to get accountability.

Cover:

BECOMING
A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR
IN A FIERCE LANDSCAPE:
MY APPRENTICE REPORT

"Work as if everything
depended on you;
Pray as if everything
depended up God's
mercy and grace--
both are true!"

Completed by _____________________
on (date)____________

The Apprentice Warrior is expected to complete a study and review of the entire workbook within one month from entry and participate fully in all the activities of the program and all meetings. A review of this Apprentice Completion shall be scheduled with one of the Volunteers, after reviewing it with an inmate mentor, in order to qualify for help in our Advance program, becoming a team leader, transitioning with OWL and qualifying for your Certificate of Completion.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE a new introduction to the handbook, 2/05

2005-02-10T07:52:00.000-05:00

Spiritual warfare is a reality--there is not one person on the planet who does not do battle with inner demons. Awakening the warrior within, learning tools and techniques of inner combat, mastering the gifts of self, accessing higher powers, and adopting a mission-oriented path of life are the means of gaining inner victory and lasting spiritual peace.

The spiritual warrior within you needs to attack that which holds you back - that which self-sabotages your inner essence - overeating, drinking, drugs, addictions, laziness, unhealthy attachments, unlimited TV, or allowing others to abuse you as you blindly set yourself up to be a victim - anything that keeps your spiritual warrior-self imprisoned. Embrace the challenges the world brings to you. Accept that you are not the center of the universe. You will become less reactive. You will become more centered and more resourceful. You will feel better & more together.

We are each called to a warrior identity, but we can only find this deep within ourselves. That place which transforms us so we become what we all must become, if we are to transform our world to the one we want to live in; but most importantly to answer the inner summons.

This SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROGRAM is devoted to the development of the warrior soul, connecting the warrior both to Wisdom and the earth, and to the fellowship of spiritual warriors.

SPIRITUAL WARRIOR TRAINING

SPIRITUAL
The effort to reach to one's truest inner self and find a balance in this world is essentially spiritual. The innermost core of ourselves and the hidden mystery of the universe are already intrinsically one within me. To be spiritual means manifesting and radiating that harmony and balance of body, mind and spirit and constantly challenging myself.

WARRIOR
A warrior is a person who is not adverse to struggle, who has learnt that vigorous effort, welcoming challenge and competition are enjoyable and a part of our nature as human beings. To be a true spiritual warrior one must fight all kinds of distractions, personal weaknesses, fear and lethargy. Hence, the inner landscape is the main darkness to be faced and embraced. Inner peace is a result typically of intense struggle.

Living life with intense passion & purpose is leading the life of a "warrior". To be a "warrior" does not necessarily imply waging a "war". It is also an honorary title of many tribal societies for a human being endowed with courage, compassion and wisdom.

TRAINING
A spiritual warrior is one who pursues spirituality with vigor, determination and exquisite balance. You are now in a Correctional setting which provides a Fierce Landscape for your training. This setting is both rude, unforgiving and constantly challenging the would-be spiritual warrior. We are neither spiritual nor a warrior without taking the attitude that we are "in training" at all times everywhere. The "in-training" humbleness required is an essential trait of a true aspirant as well as the master and teacher.

We examine five traits of the Spiritual Warrior: Self-examination, Courage, Compassion, Generosity, and Mission or life-long commitment.
We take generosity or self-giving first as our greatest immediate challenge. Since most of us have a Christian background, we take our lessons and invitations from Scripture. (continued)

Overview: A Fierce Landscape, expectations

2005-01-11T00:49:00.000-05:00

THE FIERCE LANDSCAPE

You, each of you, have been placed in a "DESERT."
The DESERT is a solitary and fierce landscape that is unforgiving and rude.
You either respect the desert or it will punish you.
It can punish you severely.
Jail or prison is a kind of desert.
You survive by respecting the total environment.
Which is a solitary, fierce, unforgiving and rude landscape.

Here, you will either grow in spirit
or die in spirit. You choose.
Daily. Actually you choose minute by minute
by what you choose to focus on.
If you grow in spirit,
you will leave a better person.
If you die in spirit, you will leave more angry,
and in reality, less able to cope and survive in the real world.

One of the reasons you are here,
most of you, maybe not everyone one of you,
is because you have not respected others, the feelings & rights of others.

You were determined to do it Your Way. . .
Regardless of how others and loved ones and family-others felt.
You were headstrong, maybe even arrogant,
in claiming your needs were urgent, more important
than those of others.
For anyone to do this is to remain in a
stage of adolescent rebellion, fretting and pushing
against the way the world is, because it does not meet YOUR needs.

Now here is the paradox for each of you.
You are in a place where you will either learn and grow
OR
you shall become more bitter and self-centered.
It is a kind of fierce landscape.

You are in a spiritual desert --
You either face yourself and learn what you have neglected to learn up to now;
Or you continue downhill on the private easy road
which will cost you and your loved ones even more in the future.

Many men today are still emotionally adolescent,
stuck in a teen-age immaturity.
Are you one of these? Still a boy?
The desert forces us to choose.
You can keep to yourself, go along to get along,
get by, fake it, and reserve to yourself
your angry and bitter thoughts,
OR
You can begin facing yourself.
You can begin to pay attention to the feelings of others.
You can begin to grasp what kind of cage your life
up to now has kept you in by your blindness to others.

Funny strange, isn’t it?
One of the reasons you are here is that you have ignored
the feelings of others, and perhaps many others.
Now the only way you can grow and learn is
by learning to listen and pay attention to the feelings of
others around you. And by continual self study and self-examination.

A key question is whether you are still
a "boy" emotionally, i
n a man’s body, or
whether you have decided to grow up.
Many men are still "boys" inside.
Are you one of these?

Unless you use this opportunity,
face yourself and seek feedback from others,
you are sure of nothing. Nothing.
How will you know?
How open are you to feedback from others?
(This is one secret key to the Mystery of your life)"

Note: anything on this blog can be copied. Please request permission

and give proper attribution. Thank you.

Screening: An Inventory for Spiritual Growth.

2005-01-10T22:43:00.000-05:00

This five question inventory must be completed before an inmate is considered or interviewed for admission into the Spiritual Growth program unit.

INVENTORY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Complete this in preparation for admission the the SG unit in FF8.
UN INVENTARIO PARA CRECIMIENTO ESPIRITUAL
Fayette County Detention Center, Unit FF June, 2003
POR FAVOR ESTAMPE O ESCRIBA CLARAMENTE

1. What kind of changes in your life are you open to making that you want support for? Que tipo de cambios en su vida esta abierto hacer y en que quiere apoyo?

2. Is there a particular faith or wisdom tradition that you want to learn? If yes, tell why. Hay una fe particular que quiere aprender? Si la respuesta es si, diga porque.

3. How do you KNOW that you are ready and open for this kind of personal inner work? Como es que SABE que está listo y abierto para este tipo de trabajo personal y interior?
4. Have you yet, on your own, begun any kind of study or reading that offers guidance for you to change your life? If yes, describe. Ya ha comenzado Usted mismo cualquier tipo de estudio que es una guía para cambiar su vida? Si la respuesta es si, describalo

5. Change for anyone (anyone, anywhere, any time) means stopping blaming others, giving up your resentments, stop feeling like a victim, and taking responsibility for your life now, moment by moment, step by step. Explain how you are NOW ready to do this? Para alguien a cambiar, se necesita a parar culpando otros, dejar sus resentimientos, parar teniendo ganas de ser una victima, y aceptar responsabilidad para su vida ahora. Explicar como se prepara AHORA a aceptar esta tareja?

USE REVERSE OF THIS PAGE WHEN NECESSARY TO COMPLETE YOUR ANSWER. Then, request a visit by the chaplain or the SG coordinator on the Request to INMATE SERVICES. In the meantime, review your answers with someone in your unit.

Beginnings in 2002

2005-01-10T22:17:00.000-05:00

This program began as an ad hoc jail ministry to inmates at the Fayette County Detention Center in 2002. Many inmates ask for bibles and there are a few volunteer bible study programs. Most inmates "get God" in jail and lose God when they walk out the door. A Bible study program is simply not effective for the radical change in life style desperately needed.

Most inmates are there for crimes associated with addiction, mostly theft. There are a few tax supported programs in AA and GED. Two of three offenders are back in jail within three years. We have an enormous problem in the effectiveness of our justice system.

We are dealing with our exploding drug problem by punishing the addict. All the jails and prisons are overflowing. In some counties, the jails are Third World conditions with as many as 600 housed in space built for 150. Dr. Robert Lawson, UK Law Professor is addressing this issue in a research paper to be published soon, and we hope to highlight his research. Kentucky's penal system has become one of the most harsh in the nation. So many expenses simply in warehousing that there is no money for rehabilitation programs.

Steps are being taken to raise awareness of these programs as it is part of the state budget crunch. Kentucky is now spending $300 million per year. Nationally, we now have seven million persons in our correctional system either as inmates or on parole. This is the highest rate of incarceration of any nation in the world except Russia.

We in the SGN of Kentucky have conceived a total program that summons a life style change. This blog will explain that and ask for comment and discussion. We have the total support of the FCDC administration, staff and chaplain. Inmates are screened for readiness, and interviewed. If accepted they are moved to a specific pod or residential unit of ten. Volunteers provide daily lessons. Inmates follow a workbook of exercises and daily group meetings.

Each volunteer gives one hour per week. We invite others to consider joining this program as a volunteer or to consider undertaking a similar project in your locality. Here we expect to tell you about this program and invite comment and discussion. We are much encouraged by the success of the program so far. Inmate response is very positive. Please join us.