During the past year I have  
  been using the Character  
  First! material to teach
  inmates in prison ministry 
  at our local and county
  prisons.  I believe these
  character studies help to
  develop character qualities
  that are of great value to
  everyone.  They establish
  proper identity for people,
  regardless of the 
  circumstances they might find
  themselves in.  The program
  establishes right relationship
  guidelines for those people in
  leadership roles and for those
  who follow these leaders.

  The program can be used
  effectively by all ages, both 
  very young  all the way up to
  those of us who have reached
  our “Golden Years.”

  Character First! instills
  within us a sense of
  community helping us to
  develop compassion for our
  fellowman.  As a result, we
  have a better society in which
  to live and work and find that
  inner peace which we all
  desire so much.

  What sets Character First! 
  apart from other non-profit 
  entities is the fact that it is not
  just for one particular cause or
  segment of the population, but
  rather for the good of all of
  society. It, in fact, helps us to
  become more aware of the
  special needs of others and to
  respond to those needs.
  I believe in Character First!
  because I’ve seen it work first
  hand.

  - John Reed,
    Inside -Outside Ministry
    Bibb County Correctional   
    Facility
 

  The implementation of character training
  in local correctional facilities, such as
  the Metro Jail and Juvenile Detention
  Center, have been well received and met
  with overall success. Inmates work on
  displaying positive character qualities that
  will help them lead more successful lives
  when they are re-assimilated into the
  regular community. Some of the
  character qualities that are emphasized
  in reaching each correctional facility's
  population are Honor, Truthfulness,
  Forgiveness, Self-control and
  Responsibility. In addition to character
  training for inmates, a five-hour training
  session on Police Dynamics was
  presented to correction officers and
  support staff for the last three years.
  Each year an additional four hour
  follow-up training session is completed.
  All new employees are required to
  attend this training. Also at the 
  Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention Center
  character training courses involving
  teaching and leadership skills have
  presented. Officers are taught to praise
  and correct with character.
  Officers with good character are
  essential for building community trust.
  Character reclaims "criminal strong
  holdsll by overcoming the fear, apathy,
  and tolerance of crime that allow it to
  flourish.
 
  Discover more about Police Dynamics
  and how on-going character emphasis
  can benefit law enforcement officers at  
 http://www.characterfirst.com/training/police

 

  The Tuscaloosa Character Council has
  planted "seeds of character" to the
  troubled youth at the Tuscaloosa
  Detention Center with lessons and
  skills that will hopefully grow as these
  individuals make future decisions. 
  Mr. Jerry Lake is a dedicated and
  faithful instructor that teaches from his
  heart and emphasizes the importance
  of CHARACTER!  Our students
  are provided with brochures describing 
  individual character qualities.  These
  lessons lead to constructive disscusions
  that hopefully offer alternative ways
  ways of thinking as well as attitude
  adjustments.

  Mr. Lake not only continues to provide
  these priceless opportunities for our
  residents, he also provides professional
  training for the staff members of our
  facility.  The Character Council has
  sponsored workshops entitled "Can We
  Influence Our Culture?," "Effective
  Leadership," "Correcting With
  Character," and "Correcting with Praise."
  These classes definitely sparked 
  motivation for our employeess and 
  re-emphazied positive ways of blending
  character into the expectations of
  everyday living!

  Needless to say, the Tuscaloosa
  Juvenile Detention Center feels 
  extremely fortunate and proud to
  be affiliated with the Tuscaloosa
  Character Council.  We appreciate
  the genuine concern for our residents
  and recognize their dynamic efforts
  as they strive to encourage "Character
  Education" in our growning
  Community!

  - Cathy Joiner Wood
     Assistant Director
     Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention Center