Study Concludes Florida's Faith-Based Correctional Program Avoids Church-State Problems

According to University of Florida News, two UF professors have published a study of Florida's faith-based correctional program for juvenile offenders, concluding that the program has been successful while avoiding church-state issues that have plagued programs in other states. Lead researcher Jodi Lane said that unlike programs elsewhere that were often Christian-based, Florida's program permits participants to select a mentor from any religion, or a secular mentor if the individual prefers. Also the program is completely voluntary, avoiding charges of coercion. The study, titled Before You Open the Doors: Ten Lessons From Florida's Faith and Community-Based Delinquency Treatment Initiative (Abstract), appears in the April 2007 issue of Evaluation Review.