Faithbased Dorm Re-Entry Initiative for State Jails Information for Collaborators The Faithbased Dorm Re-Entry Initiative is a true collaboration of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and National Faithbased & Community Organizations (FBCO). This Initiative is coordinated within TDCJ by Chaplaincy and Community Assistance Divisions and for the FBCO  collaborating organizations. The highlights of the Initiative are as follows: TDCJ administration will designate a living unit within the facility on which those inmates who volunteer for the initiative will live. Every effort will be made to insure that all inmates on the living unit are participating in the initiative. TDCJ administration will allow access to this living unit for approved volunteers representing the collaborating organizations. Most activities of the initiative will be held on the living unit. TDCJ administration will allow all volunteers to have access to the inmates’ family members in order that contact with them may be made prior to the release of the inmates. TDCJ administration will allow volunteers access to the inmates after they have been released from the facility. TDCJ administration will screen inmates who volunteer for the initiative to insure that they meet the time criteria for participation. Generally inmates must have a minimum of 9 months remaining on their sentence. The FBCO will provide curriculum based on Biblical Principles each weekday evening addressing areas such as: Anger Management Parenting Skills Substance Abuse Support Groups Daily Living Skills Coaching (mentoring) Establishing Christian Values Pro-Social Community Participation The FBCO will provide additional activities during the day and weekends to include: Educational Tutoring Sunday Services The FBCO will provide release planning, which will include both the inmate and his/her family members. Family members will be asked to participate in Family Life Programs as provided in the community. The FBCO will upon release of the inmate provide support services as appropriate. The FBCO will maintain case records of interaction with inmates both pre and post release and provide reports to TDCJ. Generally inmates will remain on the unit until discharge. Generally inmates will continue to participate in facility school and work assignments. Any inmate regardless of Faith affiliation may volunteer for the program. The Initiative Volunteer Participation Form will indicate that the initiative is purely a Christian program and as such all programs provided by collaborators must be attended. Inmates will also be informed that they will not have to have a religious conversion to participate in the re-entry services. The collaborators must however determine if they have learned to allow Biblical Principals to guide their behavior. If not then they will not be allowed to participate.              For Additional Information, Contact:    Bert Thompson (Bert@RJCTexas.org)