The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of inmates in correctional facilities who participated in a biblical correctional counseling recovery program from the perspective of the biblical drama of salvation, and to examine the proces...
The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of inmates in correctional facilities who participated in a biblical correctional counseling recovery program from the perspective of the biblical drama of salvation, and to examine the process by which inmates achieve holistic recovery. To this end, a program consisting of nine sessions was conducted with seven male inmates from a private correctional facility in Korea as research participants. A qualitative case study was conducted, comprehensively reviewing various qualitative data such as session-based activity outcomes, reflection essays, observation records, and in-depth interviews. This study examined the inmates' participation experiences by cross-applying the frameworks of the salvation drama structure (Creation-Fall-Redemption-Completion) and the relationship-based structure (Self-Family-Others/Community-Society-God). In this research, correction refers not to social punishment or retribution, but to the process of existential transformation and restoration of the individual inmate. Therefore, based on an understanding of the unique context and circumstances of correctional settings, the aim was to practice soul care for inmate recovery. Specifically, art as a form of common grace was introduced into the activities of a biblical correctional counseling program utilizing art media, with the goal of applying this program in correctional settings. This sought to help inmates achieve safe self-expression and understanding, enabling them to reinterpret their lives within the framework of the drama of salvation.
As a result of the research, during the initial stages (Sessions 1, 2, 3) of Creation and Fall, participating inmates experienced understanding God's image and the order of creation, awareness of their existence, and reflection on distorted lives and sin. During the Redemption phase (Sessions 4, 5, 6, 7), participating inmates were able to form a relationship with God through the process of identity transformation by the Gospel. They progressed from self-understanding and acceptance to rebuilding and expanding relationships with family, others, and the community, demonstrating a shift in perspective to view their entire lives through the lens of the biblical drama of salvation. The common pattern of restoration evident in their relational domains was confirmed: as the order of their relationship with God was established, they moved away from distorted beliefs and pathological relationship patterns. They no longer separated themselves from others and society, instead progressively expanding their relational networks. Specifically, participating inmates gradually transformed from states of relational disconnection and collapse within God's created order into restorative relationships, revealing the mechanism of redemptive drama-based restoration in this process. Thus, this study concretely demonstrated that biblical correctional counseling is a viable approach to achieving correctional goals: individual change and maturity, reconnection with family and local community networks, and preparation for societal reintegration.
This paper presents a biblical restorative model for correctional settings and aims to provide foundational data to aid in the development of faith-based programs within correctional facilities. Finally, it discusses the applicability and effectiveness in correctional settings and offers suggestions for future research on the fundamental change and restoration of inmates. This study is expected to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration among theology, correctional studies, and counseling, and contribute to the implementation of restorative justice in correctional settings through biblical counseling.