Altogether, Warden Exchange graduated 19 wardens from 13 states in 2022. Each warden presented their 3-year plan to incorporate the key principles they learned during the program, in order to become a leader who inspires staff and residents and encourages respect and dignity for those in their care.

The plans showcased by the 2022 graduating Warden Exchange cohort are marked by respect between staff and residents, engagement by residents in robust programming, and a culture that values human dignity.

Last year’s Maine Warden Exchange graduates hosted this year’s participants, as well as several Prison Fellowship staff, for tours of the Maine Correctional Center and the Southern Women’s Reentry Center. The 2021 graduates showcased how they had implemented their transformational plans in these facilities, crediting much of the change to the application of insights gained from the program.

We visited with women in a low-security facility, where the women get to wear civilian clothes, pursue trades and education, and spend time in the community during the day as part of a work release program. I asked a group of the women how their experience compared to incarceration in other states. One woman in a pink hoodie responded, “It’s much more difficult in Maine.”

I was a bit confused. I was still in awe of the remarkable cleanliness, brightness, and engagement I observed at this facility.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked. She replied, “In some of the other jails and prisons I’ve lived in, the corrections officials are afraid of us. They let us get away with a lot. They don’t care what we’re doing with our time unless it’s a serious violation. Here, the corrections officials walk right up to you and talk to you. Sure, we’re treated with more respect and get more opportunity here, but it comes with so much more expectations of how we spend our time.”

Now it made sense to me. This was constructive corrections culture in action! As we heard from the Maine wardens during that trip, creating an environment that fosters mutual respect between those who live and work in prison, provides programming and high expectations of productivity, and ensures accountability, has allowed the state to realize improved outcomes for both the people in their care and their staff.

In addition to Floodlight and Warden Exchange, we now also have a Prison Fellowship Academy site in Maine, the state hosted three Hope Events in the past year, and flyers advertising Angel Tree Christmas applications for incarcerated parents were posted in every unit. Praise God for His hand in opening doors to ministry!