FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-- June 14, 2015

 HOUSTON, TEXAS- The Fred and Mabel Parks Foundation has granted $1 million to The Heart of Texas Foundation (HOTF). The HOTF  helped establish and now privately funds an amazing prison ministry, Southwestern Seminary at Darrington, now in its 4th year of successful operation. This four-year fully accredited Seminary is located inside the maximum-security Darrington prison in Rosharon, Texas. The gift made by the Fred and Mabel Parks Foundation virtually ensures that private funds will be available shortly to expand the Seminary's educational facilities to accommodate four full classes of inmate-students.  The Capital Campaign will provide funds to renovate an existing older building with upgrades to accommodate a student body of 200 inmates.  The renovated building will house all four classes in this historic program-- freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors-- whose goal is to graduate, and then be transferred to other Texas Prisons to work with prison wardens and chaplains in focused efforts to bring about new levels of prison reform in Texas.  

            HOTF CEO Grove Norwood says "We are so grateful to The Parks Foundation for this gift.  The Darrington Seminary has already shown positive results with its unique approach to prison reform.  Educating long-term inmates to become a powerful influence for spiritual and moral rehabilitation in our Texas prisons was first pioneered by the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, LA.  As Texas inmates graduate, they will become Field Ministers, transfer in teams to prisons throughout the state, augment the prison Chaplain's staff,  and minister to their fellow inmates. We believe they will help dramatically change Texas prisons for the better - from the inside out."  

            "The Parks' trustees are thrilled to support this effort," says Jim McClellan, President of the Parks Foundation board. "Too often children follow their parents into prison. This program changes the hearts of  inmates, who then reach outside the prison to change their children, breaking the chain of despair and creating a future of hope."  

            With strong endorsement of then-Sen. Dan Patrick (R) and Sen. John Whitmire (D), Chairman of the Texas Criminal Justice Committee, then-Governor Rick Perry and Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Executive Director Brad Livingston, the Seminary began accepting inmates as Seminary students in 2011. That year, the first 40 inmates were moved to Darrington from prisons across Texas. With the planned expansion, the Seminary will accommodate a total of 200 students, graduating up to 50 per year.

            Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary provides instructors and professors who teach at Darrington, offering a fully accredited four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. Voluntary inmate-applicants represent a variety of religious backgrounds, and must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.  The Heart of Texas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, fully supports the Seminary by raising privately donated funds from churches, individuals, and foundations.  No Federal or State funds are involved.

View the animated "Fly Through Tour" of the "new" Seminary Building ~ Capital Campaign Renovation Project