Prisoners Helping Prisoners Change: A Study of Inmate Field Ministers Within Texas Prisons

Abstract

Research on incarcerated offenders trained to help prisoners change is rare because programs that equip inmates with practical capacities for helping others rehabilitate in prison hardly exist. An exception is the Field Ministry program in Texas, which enlists inmates who have graduated from a prison-based seminary to work as “Field Ministers” and serve other inmates in various capacities. We hypothesize that inmate exposure to Field Ministers is inversely related to antisocial factors and positively to prosocial ones. We applied manifest-variable structural equation modeling to analyze data from a survey of a random sample of male inmates at three maximum-security prisons where the Field Ministry program operated. We found that inmates exposed more frequently to the Field Ministry and for a longer time period tended to report lower levels of criminological risk factors and aggressiveness and higher levels of virtues and predictors of human agency as well as religiosity and spirituality.

Inmates in the Role of the "Wounded Healer": The Virtuous of Peer-to-Peer Programs in Prison

“…Accordingly, research finding point to many benefits inherent in the role of the "wounded healer" for inmates employed in peer-based rehabilitation roles: providing opportunities to experience accomplishments; Increasing the sense of ability and self-worth; Developing a sense of accomplishment, meaning, and purpose in life; Developing a new self-identity; Increasing feelings of belonging and satisfaction from life; And a stronger commitment to avoid crime (e.g., Aresti et al, 2010;Heidemann et al, 2016;LeBel et al, 2014;O'Sullivan et al, 2020;Marsh, 2011;Maruna, 2002;White, 2000;Woods, 2020). This evolving field holds the promise of a paradigmchanging in the correction systems and utilizing the generative effects of peer-based programs on change and rehabilitation processes (Heidemann et al, 2016;Jang et al, 2020). Considering the many benefits attributed to peer-to-peer programs, as demonstrated above, it is recommended to develop appropriate policies and to expand such programs that train former addicts and prisoners for rehabilitation and mentoring roles, in prison and the community.…”

“…Similarly, a recent study examined the effectiveness of a prison-based seminar operating in maximum security prisons in Texas, among aid providers and recipients, found positive correlations between participating in the program and increased feelings of meaning and purpose in life; high levels of religiosity and spirituality; and cultivating virtues such as humility, forgiveness, and gratitude (Jang et al, 2020).…”

“…The program allows inmates to acquire a bachelor's degree for free, while in return, the graduate inmates serve as "peer ministers", i.e., supporting peers through a variety of roles such as counseling, mentoring, guidance, and vocational training. This program was expanded and is currently operated in at least 14 other U.S. states (Jang et al, 2020).…”

The Role of Faith-based Organizations (FBOs) in the Rehabilitation of Offenders

“…While multi-faith and cultural religious programs are being developed, more recently rehabilitated prisoners are viewed as a form of social capital that can be effectively utilized to minister to their compatriots. Jang et al (2019, p. 2) in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, in the USA examined whether current prisoners can be formally trained in chaplaincy roles to help other prisoners change, contributing to their rehabilitation. Their research project led them to form a Field Ministry program within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which enlists inmates from a maximum-security prison who participate voluntarily in the prison-based faith programs.…”

Positive Psychology and Positive Criminology: Similarities and Differences

“…Another development in the rehabilitation of offenders from a positive criminological perspective is apparent in intervention programs operated in prison or community correction frameworks by prisoners or ex-prisoners for the benefit of other convicts. Based on the role of the “wounded healer,” these programs use the skills and strengths of rehabilitated ex-convicts, and their personal experience (“lived experience”), to assist their peers to reform, through a variety of roles, such as counseling and peer-mentoring (Jang et al, 2020). Recent studies conducted by researchers in the field of crime desistance, point to the many benefits inherent in such practices for the benefactors.…”