Prison Divinity Program FAQs

How can an inmate get into the Prison Divinity Program?

An individual must submit an application for admission to Oklahoma Baptist University and the Prison Divinity Program. Applications are made available through the chaplain’s office at the inmate’s facility. The inmate can pick up an application packet during designated application periods. The next opportunity to apply will be the spring of 2024.

Who can apply to the Prison Divinity Program?

• Applicant must furnish documentation of a GED, High School Equivalency, or a High School Diploma.
• Applicant must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
• Applicant must have at least 12 years of sentence remaining before parole eligibility.
• Applicant must be a security level 3 or 4.
• Applicant must have no misconducts in the last 6 months.
• Applicant must have no class X misconducts in the last 12 months.
• Applicant may have any religious affiliation or none at all.
• Applicant understands that the Bachelor Arts in Christian Studies is a totally voluntary unit program at the Lexington Correctional Center.

What is the application process?

The completed application packet is submitted to the inmate’s local facility chaplain who, in turn, submits it to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and Oklahoma Baptist University. The respective organizations review each application to ensure basic qualifications are met. The Program Director may also grant an interview to the applicant.

Is this an accredited degree?

Oklahoma Baptist University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The same degree is offered through the Shawnee campus.

Where is the Program offered?

The Prison Divinity Program is currently offered only at the Lexington (Oklahoma) Correctional Center. Students accepted into the Program will be transferred to this facility by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and remain there for a minimum of four years to complete his degree.

Will participation in the Program benefit an individual’s opportunity for release?

Participants will receive no special consideration for early release or parole except as the fulfillment of a general pro-social program requirement.

Can an individual who has an earned college degree apply for the Program?

Yes.

Can college credits earned elsewhere be transferred to the Program?

No. The Program operates on a cohort model. Students enter as a group, progress through the courses together, and graduate together.

What if an individual has not been in an education program for many years?

All students must participate in an orientation program during the semester preceding the beginning of classes. Orientation will equip the students to meet the expectations of the program. Content will include but not be limited to an overview of the program, introduction to Christian academic thought, spiritual formation, and practical skills for success.

Does acceptance into the Program guarantee completion of one’s degree?

Each student is expected to abide by the policies (academic and behavioral) of both the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and Oklahoma Baptist University. Failure to do so may result in removal from the Program.

What opportunities are available for graduates?

Graduates who remain incarcerated are expected to assist in ministering and promoting moral rehabilitation within the Oklahoma prison system for the remainder of their sentence. Graduates must be willing to be transferred to other facilities within the Oklahoma prison system to fulfill this expectation. Graduates who are released are equipped with a college degree founded on a liberal arts core curriculum that prepares them for a wide variety of employment opportunities.

What does the program cost?

The Prison Divinity Program is supported and sustained through the generous contributions of individuals, churches, foundations, and other entities who share our passion for transforming prison culture. Thus, there is no cost to the student.