Inmates who participate in faith-based programs during their sentences are in some case 15 percent less likely to reoffend once they’re released. A recent study tracked inmates from 11 Florida prisons enrolled in the voluntary programs.

The closest in this area is Wakulla Correctional Institute near Crawfordville in Wakulla County.

The programs last a full year and are privately funded. State Senator Dave Aronberg, a Democrat running for Attorney General, says the programs could save the state millions over time.

“When you have a prison population that has a high recidivism rate it’s just a revolving door, people get right back in, it hurts taxpayers, it hurts public safety and for someone who want to be attorney general I think we need to look at whatever works.”

More than a quarter of the 30-thousand people released from Florida prisons each year are back behind bars within three years.