Creating a Faith-Based Restorative Justice Community in a Maximum-Security Prison.

Source: (2007) Corrections Today. June 2007. pp. 60-63.

Although most restorative justice programs take place outside of prison, there is a strong interest in bringing these programs into the prison environment. Various forms of victim-offender empathy and reconciliation programs have been introduced to incarcerated populations. Yet, efforts to implement restorative justice programs within the prison community creating a culture where conflict is resolved peacefully, are considerably less common. The faith-based honor dorm at W.C. Holman Correctional Institution in Atmore, Ala, is an effort to provide this programmatic environment. It not only aims to resolve conflict peacefully, it also has long-term objectives. This program works to create an environment in which inmates have space and opportunity to experience personal transformation. (excerpt)