Family & Corrections Network

The Fourth North American Conference on the Family & Corrections

Table of Contents

October 10-12, 1993 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

SPECIAL NEEDS INMATES: THE TOTAL FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Des detenus ayant des besoins speciaux: un programme de formation qui touche la famille entiere

Donald Vowell

Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, Joseph Harp Correctional Centre

Box 1475, Nobel, OK 73068

(405) 872-3543

Le Total Family Development Program du Centre correctionnel Joseph Hart, a Lexington (Oklahoma), est anime par Donald Vowell, sa femme JoAnn et leur fils, Kendal W. Il s'adresse aux detenus, au personnel et aux membres de leurs familles. Concu pour les detenus ayant des besoins particuliers, il est aussi destine aux membres de la population carcerale generale et a leurs familles, qu'il aide a se passer de drogue et a parler avec d'autres de leurs problemes et de leur evolution.

Le programme existe maintenant localement, a l'echelle nationale et dans le monde, de diverses facons. Nous desirons remercier tous ceux qui ont rendu cette action possible : comites de presidents U.S., membres du Congres des Etats-Unis, senateurs des Etats-Unis, Colleges et Universites, Professional Counseling Associations, Order of St. Benedict, Abbot, President Emeritus, gouverneur et ex-gouverneurs de l'Oklahoma, senateurs de l'Etat, autres politiciens et specialistes, ainsi que le ministere des Services correctionnels de l'Oklahoma.

C'est un programme educatif modele, innovateur et peu couteux, qui est hautement structure, qui donne des resultats et qui devrait etre applique, non seulement en Oklahoma, mais aussi dans tous les systemes correctionnels d'Etat.

The Total Family Development Program at Joseph Harp Correctional Center, Lexington Oklahoma, is a program facilitated by Donald Vowell, his wife JoAnn and their son, Kendal W. It is a concept for inmates, staff and their family members. A program for special needs inmates, but also for the inmate population and their families to help them to be Drug Free and to be able to share their growth and development with others.

The program is now shared locally, nationally and internationally by several types of world-wide coverage. We wish to thank all who have made this possible. U.S. Presidents Committees, U.S. Congressmen, U.S. Senators, the Colleges and Universities, Professional Counseling Associations, Order of St. Benedict, Abbot, President Emeritus, Oklahoma Governor's past and present, State Senators and other political and professional persons, and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

This model educational, intelligent and inexpensive program has a highly successful structure with results and should be placed not only in Oklahoma, but nationally in all State prison systems.

Thank you for your concern for the Vowell family and the numerous other inmates and their family members. This family is grateful to you and to God to have this model program become so successful and a reality.

The Total Family Development Program from the "Womb to the Tomb"

PRESENTATION:

Process of restructuring or modifying the offender, the offender family, to develop a total family, for the offender to return to his or her community.

OUR GOAL

For offender to recover mentally, physically, and spiritually. To de institutionalize our special needs offenders.

METHOD

Using a role model offender and his family in educatingother offenders and their family members.

NEW PLAN OF ACTION

Placement of this model program in all Department of Corrections, not only in Oklahoma, but nation-wide.

THE MIRACLE FACTORY

A miracle is an extraordinary event, manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. The miracle factory provides a specially designed environment for those who have special needs. Here, at Joseph Harp Correctional "Total Family Development" Center, miracles are happening.

Life in the Joseph Harp Correctional "Total Family Development" Center, means that everyone is a winner. The goal is to achieve the total growth and development of our incarcerataed human beings. From the "Womb to the Tomb," all are encouraged to relate to growth and reaction through stimulating physical and mental experiences. Life in the Center means a way of living; of having vital importance; of knowing full vitality. The motto of the Joseph Harp Correctional "Total Family Development" Center is "No One Said They Couldn't."