Transforming Inmate Character within a Correctional Setting by Experiencing Spiritual Formation through the Conventional Relationship with God

Historically, the correctional system was concerned with locking up criminals and keeping them off the streets. Society\u27s safety was, and still is, of primary importance. Unfortunately, most felons complete their sentencing and are released back into the community with the same belief systems and character traits that brought them to prison. Christian programming within the correctional setting is succeeding only at changing surface behavior, not genuine character transformation. This results in recidivism rates that are identical to those of non-Christian imnates. In order to address this problem, I propose that spiritual formation focused upon a covenantal relationship with Jesus Christ will create more measurable evidence of character change in those incarcerated than the current model being delivered by most Christian groups. In chapter two I present biblical materials showing that reconciliation and redemption are a part of the saving message of the Gospel. I will reflect upon biblical narratives demonstrating that God desires a covenantal relationship with people and that entrance into this relationship begins the process of character transformation. In chapter three I present materials from Christian history and thought that show the long history of the church in working with offenders. I will look at how spiritual formation has woven its way through the history of God\u27s people. I will focus upon the monastic movement and conclude with the contemporary voice of Dallas Willard. In chapter four I present materials from the field of corrections. I will outline criminal risk factors and how these contribute to a life of crime. I will look at how programming focused on spiritual formation can make a difference in the character of inmates. In chapter five I will look at spiritual leadership as it relates to the correctional setting. I will address how spiritual leadership can utilize spiritual formation to effect change in inmate behavior and attitudes. In the conclusion I present how entering into a covenant relationship with God, rather than focusing upon a generic spirituality, will have a greater effect upon behavior and bring about positive character change

Global COVID-19 lockdown highlights humans as both threats and custodians of the environment

The global lockdown to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic health risks has altered human interactions with nature. Here, we report immediate impacts of changes in human activities on wildlife and environmental threats during the early lockdown months of 2020, based on 877 qualitative reports and 332 quantitative assessments from 89 different studies. Hundreds of reports of unusual species observations from around the world suggest that animals quickly responded to the reductions in human presence. However, negative effects of lockdown on conservation also emerged, as confinement resulted in some park officials being unable to perform conservation, restoration and enforcement tasks, resulting in local increases in illegal activities such as hunting. Overall, there is a complex mixture of positive and negative effects of the pandemic lockdown on nature, all of which have the potential to lead to cascading responses which in turn impact wildlife and nature conservation. While the net effect of the lockdown will need to be assessed over years as data becomes available and persistent effects emerge, immediate responses were detected across the world. Thus initial qualitative and quantitative data arising from this serendipitous global quasi-experimental perturbation highlights the dual role that humans play in threatening and protecting species and ecosystems. Pathways to favorably tilt this delicate balance include reducing impacts and increasing conservation effectiveness