Does Involvement in Religion Help Prisoners Adjust to Prison?

• NCJ Number: 151513
• Author(s): T R Clear; B D Stout; H R Dammer; L Kelly; P L Hardyman; C Shapiro
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; National Council on Crime and Delinquency; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NCCD Focus (November 1992)

Annotation

Because little research has been conducted to evaluate the benefits of religion in prisons, this study was conducted to determine if religion facilitated inmate adjustment to prison life.

Abstract

Researchers worked with a group of inmates from a midwestern maximum-security prison to develop the Prisoner Values Survey, a multidimensional assessment of religious beliefs and behavior. The Prisoner Values Survey was then used in 20 prisons in 12 States, with questionnaires administered to 769 male inmates. Forty-three percent were white, 42 percent were black, and 9 percent were Hispanic. Inmate age ranged from 17 to 75. Over 50 percent were Protestant, about 65 percent were Christian, 8 percent were Muslim, and 15 percent had no religious preference. The study also included focus group interviews with religious and nonreligious inmates and interviews with chaplains, prison administrators, and correctional officers and staff. Adjustment to prison was viewed in two ways, coping and avoiding trouble. Data were obtained on measures of religiousness, measures of adjustment, and covariate measures. Findings revealed that religiosity was related to prison infractions and adjustment, although infractions and adjustment were unrelated. Consistent with prior studies of prison adjustment, inmate age, time served, and participation in certain prison programs were linked to both infractions and adjustment. Adjustment related to self- esteem, depression, and mastery, underscoring the psychological nature of adjustment. Infractions related to drug use, security level, prior record, and current offense. Prior record related negatively to the degree of religiosity. Religion was important in reducing the number of infractions, but its role in facilitating adjustment was less clear when considering its association with depression. Prisoners indicated that religion eased the pain of incarceration in terms of dealing with guilt, finding a new way of life, and handling with loss of freedom. In addition, religious programs tended to ameliorate the prison's harsh environment with respect to safety, material comforts, and heterosexual contacts. 4 references and 3 tables