Individual and organizational impact of Kairos Horizon, a faith-based adult learning program, in a correctional setting
Abstract
Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to examine Kairos Horizon, a faith-based adult learning program, and its impact on organizational and individual change in the facility and among program participants and the perspectives of incarcerated fathers at the Davis Correctional Facility, Holdenville, OK. The study also examined the overall efficacy of Kairos Horizon as it relates to reduction of offender misconducts and enhancement of reintegration. Objectives were to: (1) determine the effectiveness of a faith-based fatherhood program in changing the perspectives of incarcerated fathers toward their children; (2) determine the differences between perspectives among incarcerated parents of Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and Native American faith groups; (3) determine the efficacy of the Kairos Horizon program by analyzing archival qualitative data collected by the institution; (4) determine if there was a difference in the number of misconducts before, during, and after the faith-based program for participants; (5) determine the reintegration success of Kairos Horizon program graduates who have been released from custody. Findings and Conclusions: The Kairos Horizon program was successful in improving the perspectives of incarcerated fathers toward their children. Three years' combined scores, with one outlier score from each year removed, showed participants scored significantly higher upon completion of the Kairos Horizon program than they scored prior to the program. There were no significant differences between perspectives of incarcerated parents of different faiths. Archival qualitative participant responses indicated participants were making positive thinking changes and positive life changes during and after the program. The year before Kairos Horizon the average number of misconducts by class was 21. During the class the average number was only one. Graduates of the program had an average of only three misconducts. This showed an 86% reduction in misconducts. The institution as a whole showed a 64% reduction in misconducts during the three years studied. The institution administration attributed this change to an increased emphasis on programming, citing Kairos Horizon as being the primary program. Eight graduates of the Kairos Horizon program have been released from custody with demonstrated family stability, successful employment, and no re-arrests.
Collections
- OSU Dissertations [11222]