AN  EMPATHIC  HELPING  SKILLS  PROGRAM
AT  THE  GIB  LEWIS  STATE  PRISON

WOODVILLE,  TEXAS

A Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of the
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Ministry
in the Division of Pastoral Ministries

Michael Glenn Maness
B.A., Criswell College, 1985
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1990
April 1997

Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Abbreviations
List of Mathematical Symbols


Supervisors
^ Click to See High Resolution ^

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The project and its theoretical justification were a personal adventure.  I owe a great deal to many persons who have contributed to my life and therefore to the completion of this project.  Many memories flood the decades:  Wiley Cantrell, Steven Hyles, Rosemary and Ralph Harper, Fran and Jim Sandin, Homer Hawthorne, Gilbert Fugitt, C. E. Colton, Richard Ross, and Joel Gregory.  Much could be said about each of these and many others in the fruition of this project.

Robert Coleman, professor emeritus of archaeology at Southwestern Seminary, has been a friend for nearly two decades.  He sponsored me on my first tour of Israel.  Words cannot express what that trip meant to me as a poor young man struggling through work and college--an enlightening opportunity of a lifetime.  He has inspired and encouraged me throughout my academic career as well as through the stages of this degree.

With regard to advanced empathy and the question of anxiety, I thank John Crow for the year's experience in clinical work in San Angelo, Texas.  During that time I came to understand and appreciate the profound nature and healing forces of advanced empathy.

The inmates within the Christian congregation at the Gib Lewis State Prison helped by attending, contributing, being patient, and praying.  I am privileged to know many good Christian men who are also prisoners.  All of the fifty-five men in the final two groups helped, but perhaps as many as thirty have made special contributions in their own ways and spirits of Christian service.  To mention one is to mention all.  A special thanks goes to William M. Carr.

In New Orleans, Don Stewart the director of the D.Min. program was a wise taskmaster and encouraging pastor of the whole program;  he helped keep our spirits up and our minds keen to the many challenges of the program.  Donna McFarlain, Stewart's administrative assistant, was a great listener and ever present source of curricular information‑‑just plain fun to work with. 

Also in New Orleans‑‑by a fluke of fortune and providence‑‑I met Sue Whitten who became a great friend that also helped with transportation;  but so much more than that, she gave her friendship in an exemplary pastoral manner.  Several peers became friends throughout the program, including Jim Burnett, David Carlton, Linda Haines, Calvin Woods, and Dino Senesi.  My doctoral committee played an important role:  my first chairman, Philip Coyle;  my second chairman, Macklyn Hubbell;  and Charles Ray and Allen Jackson.  They guided and encouraged.

On the home front, Jack Lewellen has been a friend throughout the entire program, embodying much of the finer points of empathy and pastoral care that I have striven to articulate in the program.  He has been a pastor's pastor, a calm in the midst of a storm.

A hearty thanksgiving goes to Debbie Kimbrell who loaned me her computer for several days.  Her professional support and expertise was invaluable at times during the final drafting.  She has been an encouragement for many years.

Many gave continual encouragement.  Charlie Luxton was a volunteer chaplain whose personality defined consideration.  Gertheen Pierce, our pianist and "mother of the church" in prison, gave to our predominantly "male" church that touch of mature femininity toped off with loyal kindness.  Hails "Doc" Taylor has been a faithful Bible study leader holding "forth the Word of God";  he is also a father-figure to many inmates.  A thanks goes to wardens Wesley Warner, Larry Johns, and Tim Simmons who cleared the ministry opportunities that exist in the Gib Lewis Prison and who cleared this project.  And a thanks goes to Jerry Groom, chief of chaplains for Texas, who supported the project from the beginning.

Three friends were involved in the arduous task of proofing:  John Morrison, David Rust, and Will Duke.  They meant a lot to me.  John Morrison viewed one of the final drafts and gave several helpful suggestions. 

David Rust, volunteer prison chaplain and war veteran, gave of his time and talent at several stages of the editing process.  He has been an encouragement, and his scrutiny was very much appreciated. 

Will Duke, professor and director for Merit College, offered his suggestions on a final draft.  He became a friend over a decade ago as one of my college professors and second Israel tour host.  Cheerful, wise, articulate, and precise‑‑he has been an ever ready mentor with a word of patient encouragement.

I would like to thank my mother and father to whom I owe this life and mind of mine and my brother, Roger, who is as thoughtful a person as I know.  My mother is a special person who defines the heart of motherhood and endurance.  Too much cannot be said of my mother, father, and brother.  With them many a storm has been weathered.

Lastly, I would like to thank a multitude of persons who allowed me the privilege of walking with them in their struggles or who walked with me in mine.  Sometimes I learned about empathy in the giving, sometimes in the reception.  Sometimes I learned from a distance as I observed the resiliency of the human soul in the midst of dire and precarious circumstances.  True comfort, I have found, must sometimes be painful for the giver.


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS  ...................................................................    iii

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS   .................................................................    vi

EXPANDED  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS   ...........................................   vii

LIST  OF  TABLES  ...........................................................................    xi

LIST  OF  ABBREVIATIONS  ..........................................................   xii

LIST  OF  MATHEMATICAL  SYMBOLS  ...................................... xiii

ABSTRACT  ......................................................................................    ix

Chapter

   1.    Introduction  ....................................................................     1

          The Problem and Its Setting  .....................................................     1

          The Importance of the Project  ..................................................     6

          Review of the Related Literature  ............................................   43

   2.    Description  of  the  Project  .....................................   51

          Overview  ................................................................................   51

          Development of the Program  ...................................................   51

          Enlistment of Inmates  .............................................................   54

          Implementation of the Program  ...............................................   62

   3.    Evaluation  of  the  Project  ......................................   68

          Evaluating the Program Development  .....................................   68

          Evaluating the Program Enlistment  .........................................   70

          Evaluating the Program Implementation  ..................................   73

   4.    Summary,  Conclusions,  RecommendationS  ...... 115

APPENDIXES  ................................................................................ 124

Bibliography  ........................................................................... 338

VITA  .............................................................................................. 356


EXPANDED  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS

 

Chapter

   1.    Introduction   ...................................................................     1

 

          The Problem and Its Setting  .....................................................     1

                    Statement of the Problem  ...............................................     1

                    Subproblems  ..................................................................     1

                    Hypotheses  ....................................................................     1

                    Delimitations  .................................................................     1

                    Definitions of Terms  ......................................................     2

                    Assumptions  ..................................................................     2

                    Description of the Gib Lewis Prison  ...............................     3

                    Qualifications of the Project Director  .............................     4

          The Importance of the Project  ..................................................     6

                    Theological Rationale  ....................................................     6

                             Nature of Christian Love  .......................................     6

                                     Overview

                                     Christian's Inherent Love for Others

                                     Love as the Example of Jesus Christ

                                     Specific Examples of Love's Expression

                                     High Aspirations of the Church

                             Responsibilities of the Church  ...............................     9

                                     Overview

                                     Body of Christ

                                     Ministry of Reconciliation

                                     Charge to Remember the Imprisoned and Mistreated

                                     Visiting and Caring for Christ in Prison

                                     Fellowship in Suffering

                             Prison Ministry in the New Testament  .................   12

                                     Overview

                                     Prisoner to Prisoner

                                     Prisoner to the Freeworld

                    Historical Rationale  .....................................................   14

                             Origin of Programming in American Prison Reform     15

                                     Overview

                                     American Prison Reform and Programming

                                     How General Programming Fared

                             Recent Secular Reforms and Programming in Texas  23

                                     Overview

                                     Recent Secular Reforms in Texas

                                     Recent Programming Development in Texas

                             Struggle and Future of Prison Chaplaincy  ............   27

                                     Overview

                                     Struggle of American Prison Chaplaincy

                                     Validating Chaplaincy Efforts

                                     Future of Texas Chaplaincy

                    Practical Rationale  ......................................................   34

                             Inhibitions within a Hostile Environment  ..............   34

                                     Overview

                                     Normal Person's Inhibitions

                                     Additional Inhibitions within a Prison

                                     Prisoner's Own Background and Social Grooming

                             Social Concerns of the Institutional Environment        36

                                     Overview

                                     Reduction of Non-Security Staff

                                     Highly Structured Nature of Unit Operations

                                     Readiness of a Group of Christian Inmates

                             Unique Role of the Prison Chaplaincy Department      37

                                     Overview

                                     Inherently Helping Role of Chaplaincy Department

                                     Ability to Access the Best of Religious and Secular

                                     Multiplying Benefits of Program

                                     Fact that Little Has Been Done on Program Problems

                    Conclusions on the Three Rationales  ............................   40

                             Conclusions on the Theological Rationale  ............   40

                             Conclusions on the Historical Rationale  ...............   40

                             Conclusions on the Practical Rationale  ................   42

          Review of the Related Literature  ............................................   43

                    Christian Helping Skills  ...............................................   43

                    Secular Helping Skills  ..................................................   46

 

   2.    Description  of  the  Project  .....................................   51

 

          Overview  ................................................................................   51

          Development of the Program  ...................................................   51

                    Overview  .....................................................................   51

                    Formation of the Project Focus  .....................................   51

                    Development of the Lessons  ........................................   52

                    Development of the Instructional Aids  ..........................   53

          Enlistment of Inmates  .............................................................   54

                    Overview  .....................................................................   54

                    Advertisement  .............................................................   55

                    Enrollment  ...................................................................   55

                    Pretesting  ....................................................................   56

                    Matching the Experimental and Control Groups  ...........   58

          Implementation of the Program  ...............................................   62

                    Overview  .....................................................................   62

                    Summarization of Daily Sessions  ..................................   62

                             Day 1:  Part 1:  The Foundation--Attending Skills Set 1

                             Day 2:  Part 1:  The Foundation--Attending Skills Set 2

                             Day 3:  Part 1:  The Foundation--Attending Skills Set 3

                             Day 4:  Part 2:  The Interpersonal Bridge of Self-Disclosure

                             Day 5:  Part 3:  The Connection--Empathic Skills Level 1

                             Day 6:  Part 3:  The Connection--Empathic Skills Level 2

                             Day 7:  Part 3:  The Connection--Empathic Skills Level 2

                    Posttesting  ...................................................................   66

 

   3.    Evaluation  of  the  Project  ......................................   68

 

          Evaluating the Program Development  .....................................   68

                    Overview  .....................................................................   68

                    Review by Committee Member  .....................................   68

                    Review by Expert in Criminal Justice Ministry  .............   68

                    The Documents of the Program  ....................................   69

                    Five Evaluation Instruments  .........................................   69

 

          Evaluating the Program Enlistment  .........................................   70

                    Overview  .....................................................................   70

                    Effect of Advertisement and Announcements  ................   71

                    Experimental and Control Group Worksheets and Rosters  71

                    Posttesting the Control Group  ......................................   72

          Evaluating the Program Implementation  ..................................   73

                    Overview  .....................................................................   73

                    Professional Evaluations  ..............................................   73

                             Professional Chaplain 

                             Pastoral Observations and Reflections on Implementation 

                    Adjusting the Pretest and Posttest Counselor Response      75

                    Counselor Response Questionnaire Statistical Analysis       77

                             Overview

                             Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

                             Measures of Frequency

                             Three t-Test Calculations

                    Responding Questionnaire Statistical Analysis  .............   85

                             Overview

                             Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

                             Measures of Frequency

                             Three t-Test Calculations

                    Postprogram Interview Questionnaire Analysis  .............   91

                             About the Questionnaire

                             Percentages and Interpretations

                    Postprogram Helpee Follow-up Questionnaire Analysis        107

                             About the Questionnaire

                             Percentages and Interpretations

 

   4.    Summary,  Conclusions,  and  Recommendation       115

 

          Summary  .............................................................................. 115

               On the Theological Rationale  .......................................... 115

               On the Description of the Project  .................................... 116

               On the Evaluation of the Project  ...................................... 118

          Conclusions  .......................................................................... 121

          Recommendations  ................................................................. 122

 

APPENDIX

 

   1.    Professional Evaluations  ....................................................... 124

 

   2.    Project Lesson Plans  ............................................................. 131

 

   3.    Project Overheads and Handouts  .......................................... 191

 

   4.    Preprogram Background Questionnaire  ................................. 274

 

   5.    Counselor Response Questionnaire  ....................................... 276

 

   6.    Responding Questionnaire  .................................................... 283

 

   7.    Interpersonal Check List Background  ................................... 287

 

   8.    Pastoral Observations and Reflections on Implementation  ..... 290

 

   9.    Postprogram Interview Questionnaire  ................................... 325

 

10.    Postprogram Helpee Follow-up Questionnaire  ....................... 328

 

11.    Data Collection Worksheets  ................................................. 330

 

12.    Program Instruments  ............................................................ 334

 

Bibliography  ........................................................................... 338

 

VITA  ...................................................................................................       356


 

LIST  OF  TABLES

 

 

Table                                                                                               Page

 

   1.    Sociological Breakdown of Participants  ...................................   59

 

   2.    Preprogram CRQ Scores Categorized  .....................................   60

 

   3.    Preprogram Experimental/Control Group CRQ Statistics  .........   61

 

   4.    Adjusted Preprogram Scores  ...................................................   76

 

   5.    Adjusted Preprogram CRQ Statistics  ......................................   77

 

   6.    Adjusted Pretest and Posttest CRQ Statistics  .........................   79

 

   7.    Frequency Analysis of Top Ten CRQ Scores  ...........................   81

 

   8.    Analysis of CRQ Deviations  ...................................................   82

 

   9.    CRQ t-Test Analyses  ..............................................................   84

 

10.    Pretest and Posttest RQ Statistics  ..........................................   86

 

11.    Frequency Analysis of Top Ten RQ Scores  .............................   88

 

12.    Analysis of RQ Deviations  ......................................................   89

 

13.    RQ t-Test Analyses  ................................................................   90


 

LIST  OF  ABBREVIATIONS

 

 

"a"              Aggravated time being served

"na"            Non-aggravated time being served

5WH            Who, What, Where, Why, When, How

AE-I             Accurate Empathy

AE-II           Advanced Accurate Empathy

AIN             Average INtensity

CLM            Chapel Life Ministries

CRQ            Counselor Response Questionnaire

CRQW         Counselor Response Questionnaire Worksheet

DCW            Data Collection Worksheets

DEW            Discrimination Exercise Worksheet

DOM           Dominant

HOST          Hostile

ICL              Interpersonal Check List

LOV             Loving

NIC             Number of Items Circled

NIV             New International Version

PBQ             Preprogram Background Questionnaire

PIQ              Postprogram Helpee Follow-up Questionnaire

RFRA          Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993

RQ               Response Questionnaire

RQW           Response Questionnaire Worksheet

S-O-L-E-R   Squaring, Open Posture, Leaning, Eye Contact, Relaxing

Std. Dev.      Standard Deviation

SUB             Submissive

TDC             Texas Department of Corrections

TDCJ           Texas Department of Criminal Justice


LIST  OF  MATHEMATICAL  SYMBOLS

 Dissertation Math Symbols

^click to see high resolution ^
ABSTRACT

AN  EMPATHIC  HELPING  SKILLS  PROGRAM  AT  THE  GIB  LEWIS

STATE  PRISON,  WOODVILLE,  TEXAS

Michael Glenn Maness, D.Min.

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1997

Chairman:   Macklyn Hubbell

The project director justified, developed, and implemented an empathic helping skills program based on love for a selected group of inmates at the Lewis Prison in Woodville, Texas.  Five instruments indicated the experimental group increased in skills.  Two pretest/posttest instruments statistically measured the acquisition of empathic knowledge and skills in two matched groups:  the results indicated a significant improvement in the experimental group and no significant improvement in the control group with respect to measures of central tendency, variability, frequency, and with respect to three t-tests scores.

 



 

To

those many gone by whom I still love in memory,

those many whom I love today, and those whom I will meet and

love in life's adventures in empathy