Oklahoma § 57-614 - Faith-based programs - Legislative findings and intent Duties of Department of Corrections and private correctional

§ 57-614. Faith-based programs - Legislative findings and intent Duties of Department of Corrections and private correctional

facilities.

The Legislature finds and declares that faith-based programs

offered in state and private correctional institutions and

facilities have the potential to facilitate inmate institutional

adjustment, to help inmates assume personal responsibility, and to

reduce recidivism. It is the intent of the Legislature that the

Department of Corrections and private vendors operating private

correctional facilities work towards ensuring the availability and

development of such programs at the correctional institutions and

facilities of this state and shall continuously:

1. Measure recidivism rates for all inmates participating in

faith-based or religious programs at the correctional institution or

facility;

2. Work with volunteers ministering to inmates from various

faith-based institutions in this state to improve the quality of

faith-based programs at the correctional institution or facility;

3. Continue to develop community linkages with churches,

synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based institutions to assist in

the release of participants into the community; and

4. Monitor faith-based programs operating in the correctional

institution or facility.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 346, § 3, emerg. eff. May 29, 2003.