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Conference Correctional Facilities Committee

1.      Recommendation: The committee recommended that changes to the Correctional Facilities Workbook/Kit shall be reported annually to the Conference Committee on Correctional Facilities and distributed as background material. The Correctional Facilities Workbook/Kit will continue to be reviewed annually by the Conference Committee.

Discussion: The chair of the committee expressed that it was not the intent of the committee to have the contents of this workbook/kit be conference approved. They merely wanted everyone in the fellowship to see any changes made in the workbook/kit throughout the year. This recommendation is no reflection on the GSO staff, and was not meant to micro-manage anything. There was some concern voiced that we should trust the GSO staff to make changes during the year as needed. This workbook/kit is service material and is not conference approved. It was suggested that the review process could be included in the committees Composition, Scope, and Procedure.

The recommendation was approved on the first vote, however the minority opinion spoke and a motion to reconsider was approved. The second vote to approve did not carry, motion failed, 99 Opposed, 31 in Favor, 1 abstention.

2.       Recommendation: The committee unanimously recommended that the Trustees' Committee on Correctional Facilities revise the booklet A.A. in Prison: Inmate to Inmate by adding/replacing stories to better reflect current experience, and that a draft manuscript or progress report be brought to the 2004 Conference Committee on Correctional Facilities.

Note: The committee suggested that stories/sharing of young people and women be included in the revised booklet. It was suggested that we consider adding Native Americans and post-release stories.

Discussion: It was also suggested that we consider adding Native American and post-release stories.

The recommendation was unanimously approved

ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE CONSIDERATIONS:

1. The committee accepted, with appreciation, the Trustees' Committee on Correctional Facilities' suggestion to combine the Correctional Facilities Kit and Workbook in a single three-ring binder format with the suggested title Correctional Facilities Kit and that the Workbook also be available as a separate item.
2. The committee unanimously suggested that the pamphlet Twelve Traditions Illustrated (P-43) be added to the Correctional Facilities Kit.
3. The committee reviewed the draft Statement of Purpose developed by the Trustees' Committee for inclusion in the Correctional Facilities Workbook, and took no action.

Discussion: The committee explained the reason no action was taken on this agenda item because C.P.C. was also having a discussion on a statement of purpose and they felt it best to wait and see what came from that discussion.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION:

The question was asked why the committee did not consider the request that a pamphlet about "bridging the gap between prisons and A.A." be published to encourage A.A. contact for newly released members?

The committee responded by saying they didn't want to rush into anything. Many areas are doing their own pamphlets and the committee wanted to get input from other areas and perhaps think about putting together a generic form for those who want to develop something that fits them. The first bullet point under Additional Committee Considerations offers the three-ring binder format for the gathering of information from areas for possible inclusion in the workbook. You can also get sample information forms on pre-release from other areas through G.S.O.

One delegate shared that people in his area think that if something isn't conference approved or service material, perhaps they shouldn't use it? We really would like to have this pamphlet, would the committee reconsider?

The committee declined to reconsider their original decision and reiterated the importance of bridging the gap between prison and A.A.. They also restated that there are so many variations of pre-release information out there, and getting some thoughts from the Fellowship would be best at this time. It was noted that the July issue of The Grapevine will have articles on pre- release and post-release inmates, as well as a stitched pull-out for prisons.