NCJ Number
93198
Date Published
1983
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Jail inmates' voluntary participation in religious education and Bible study can reduce the threat of inmate violence by keeping inmates' minds busy during incarceration and helping them achieve inner peace.
Abstract
A jail's religious program must stay multidenominational and emphasize self-relaxation, self-esteem, and conformity principles. The Sacramento (Calif.) County Jail has developed a religious education and Bible study program that has been highly successful. The jail's chaplain designed the program and staffed it with community volunteers. Classes are conducted in the evenings twice weekly. In a December 1982 survey of 297 inmates conducted before the program's implementation, 48 percent of the respondents that indicated that they would definitely participate in a religious education program, 36 percent responded 'maybe,' and 15 percent said 'no.' Almost half of the white inmates who responded fell into the 'maybe' category, whereas a majority of all other ethnic groups overwhelmingly favored the program. Steps in developing a religious program include assessing inmate needs, collecting data on the jail population and jail setting constraints, and evaluations. This effort must exist within the framework of education, study, and prayer rather than worship services and preaching, and inmates must be allowed to take materials back to their cells. The paper identifies instructional techniques and topics for a religious education curriculum. Tables are supplied.