Prisoners, Prison, and Religion

Abstract

During the twentieth century there has been much speculation by scholars in the United States about the relationship between religion and prisoners. In spite of the fact that both religion and the prison have been subjected to considerable study, we know little about religion in prison, particularly as it relates to the psychological adjustment of offenders to the prison environment and reduction in problematic behaviors such as disciplinary infractions. Applying a survey methodology which incorporates a recently developed scale of religiousness (the first to be developed with the assistance of inmates specifically for use with inmates) and a previously developed scale of inmate adjustment to prison, this study explores the relationship between inmate religiousness and adjustment to prison and the number of disciplinary confinements they receive. A self-report questionnaire was administered to a non-random sample of 769 inmates in 20 prisons from 12 states in order to determine if an inmate's religiousness was related to prison adjustment and the number of disciplinary infractions they received. The findings from the study indicate that a significant relationship exists between inmate religiousness and multiple measures of inmate adjustment to the prison environment. More specifically, increasing levels of religiousness, as measured by a self-report questionnaire, are associated with higher levels of in-prison adjustment, as measured by the Wright prison adjustment questionnaire. Similarly, inmate religiousness (as measured by the same self-report questionnaire) is also sig-Religion, the Community, and the Rehabilitation of Criminal Offenders.

Faith-Based Mentoring of Ex-Felons in Higher Education: Colson Scholars Reflect on Their Transitions

“…116, 121). Recent research certainly supports Johnson's claims that this progress is occurring in US correctional facilities and suggests that in-prison religious activities are effective in helping change-motivated and solution-seeking prisoners understand their own criminal culpability, replace antisocial tendencies with prosocial behaviors, adjust to abrupt and prolonged losses of freedom, and experience hope in spite of their circumstances (Camp et al 2006;Clear and Sumter 2002;Kerley et al 2005;Zimmer 2005). Indeed, Giordano et al (2002) discuss the significance of faith-based mentoring in its broader context, identifying both a former prisoner's faith and their mentoring as potential "hooks for change.…”

‘Keeping the Faith’: How Incarcerated African American Mothers Use Religion and Spirituality to Cope with Imprisonment

“…Previous research shows that religious participation among the incarcerated is associated with lower rates of recidivism and positive behavior modifications (Clear 1991;Clear et al 1992a, b;Johnson 1987b;Johnson et al 1997b;Young et al 1995). However, future research should investigate whether spirituality becomes a functional alternative that produces similar outcomes in behavior and recidivism.…”

“…In a southeastern prison, religiosity among residents was associated with reduced verbal and physical conflicts and prosocial behavior (Kerley et al 2005). Clear and Sumter (2002) report that religiosity among the incarcerated is helpful in modifying behavior as well as psychological states. In their study, higher levels of religiosity were linked to enhanced psychological adjustment and fewer self-reports of disciplinary confinement.…”

“…(Clear et al 1992a, b;Clear and Sumter 2002;Johnson 1987b;Johnson et al 1997a;) and 2) "How does religion reduce recidivism and enhance rehabilitation among prisoners?" (Clear 1991;Johnson et al 1997b;Young et al 1995). Many of these studies utilize limited indicators of religiosity such as program attendance and participation in religious education (Clear et al 2000).…”

“…Previous research focuses largely on incarcerated males and traditional measures of religiosity such as participation in religious-based activities among the incarcerated (Clear and Sumter 2002;Himelson 2003;Hyde 2007;Johnson, 1987a;Rioux 2007;Spalek and El-Hassen 2007;Taylor et al 2004). Few scholars investigate the role of spirituality apart from or in conjunction with religiosity (Bridges 2001).…”