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TechnoratiA faith-based television program dedicated to ministering hope and restoration to thousands of men and women incarcerated throughout America is gaining in popularity with correctional officials, according to the TV network behind it.
"It (the program)'s a unique tool for prisoners, one that can help bring them to a healthier level emotionally, intellectually and spiritually,” commented Amy Fihn, director of Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)’s Second Chance program, in a statement. “Our goal is not only to provide help for inmates now, but to prepare them for future success when most of them will re-enter society."
As a new initiative of TBN’s worldwide family of networks, Second Chance was created to impact the nation's soaring recidivism rates – which currently average out to 70 percent nationally. The around-the-clock program serves as a companion to already-established rehabilitation programs, and was developed to meet the growing needs for cross-generational, cross-cultural, and multi-denominational television programming opportunities for inmates of all ages.
“Second Chance is thoughtful, reassuring, faith-based programming that is truly rehabilitative, helps to rebuild inmates’ lives, and reduce recidivism,” added Fihn.
The program is fully funded by TBN, the largest faith-based network in the world, and receives no funding from government taxpayer dollars. It provides up to four different channels for diverse inmate populations – along with the equipment necessary to receive them – completely free of charge to correctional and rehabilitative facilities.
Earlier this year, TBN joined forces with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) – the nation’s largest corrections management company to federal, state and local government – in order to extend Second Chance to the more than 75,000 offenders housed in CCA’s correctional centers in 19 states and the District of Columbia. CCA is currently the fifth largest corrections system in the nation.
TBN Second Chance has also finalized agreements with officials in Texas and Florida to offer Second Chance programming in all of their state correctional facilities. And according to Alex Taylor of the Florida Department of Corrections, the timing couldn't be better.
"At a time when budgetary limitations allow for fewer program opportunities for inmates, the availability of 24 hour messages of hope is an encouragement to all who work in corrections," he told TBN.
Through Second Chance, correctional facilities can opt to receive up to four of TBN's faith-based channels including TBN, one of America’s most watched faith channels; The Church Channel, which airs church services and teaching programs from different denominations; TBN Enlace USA, which offers faith programs from Latin American countries and the U.S., all in Spanish; and JCTV, the only faith-based entertainment channel in the U.S. for 13-29 year-olds.
The selection and showing of one or more of the TBN network channels customized to reach their diverse inmate population are determined by the authorized official at each approved facility.
At the California Institution for Women in Corona, Calif., Chaplain Lois Woodard told TBN that women inmates who watch TBN frequently comment favorably on the programs and the impact it has on their lives Continue »
