Marriage counseling for prisoners

CARLISLE, Ind. (WTHI) - A program provides marriage counseling at one Wabash Valley prison.

It is called PREP or the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program.

Inmates and their spouses work on their communication as well as listening skills.

Experts say the program helps marriages and makes inmates less likely to re-offend once released from prison.

Of PREP inmates in Indiana, only 10 percent went back to prison.

That is compared to the State average of 37 percent.

"It adds to their ability to be successful because they have family support and they can communicate better," overseer of PREP across the State, Dr. Stephen Hall said.

The PREP program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility also offers other programs to help inmates re-adjust when they're released.

For information on those visit http://www.in.gov/idoc/2409.htm