Indiana prison's new unit helps inmates explore spirituality
PENDLETON, Ind. (AP) - A state prison outside of Indianapolis has created a special faith-based unit aimed at helping inmates develop their spirituality.
The unit was established at the Pendleton Correctional Industrial Facility in August under the direction of Superintendent Wendy Knight, The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin (http://bit.ly/1Mpqzua ) reported. The unit is similar to the facility's eight other units, but it features murals depicting various religions from Catholicism to Islam.
No particular religion is considered more important than others in the faith-based unit, according to Knight.
"I am a religious person, and I absolutely understand how it plays a factor in your life," she said. "The goal is if I get it together now, I'll do better back on the streets."
The unit helps offenders learn how to live and work together, said Chaplain Dave Smith, who was charged with coordinating the unit. It also allows inmates the opportunity to practice better friend-selection skills, and hopefully finding safe people with whom to associate with in prison will translate into better friend selections in the real world, he said.
"Hopefully, you are creating role models who can demonstrate to the others what you learn on the street won't serve you well here, Smith said.
A couple of months ago, 124 of the prison's 1,449 inmates moved into the faith-based unit.
Inmate Michael Smith of Anderson, who was convicted of dealing crack cocaine and sentenced to eight years in prison, is among the inmates who now live in the unit.
"It's been a beautiful opportunity for me to come over here and get my life together. I'm blessed," he said.
Michael Smith said he likes having the opportunity to learn about other faiths and to live with like-minded people who are committed to serving others, growing their spirituality and preparing to make better decisions upon release.
"From the lifestyle that I chose that got me in here, I felt it was my duty to change myself, the way I live," he said. "This dorm is all about making the right decision, the right choices ... I want to lead. I want to lead by example"
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Information from: The Herald Bulletin, http://www.theheraldbulletin.com