New report being prepared on program, October 2006

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.