NCJ Number
114667
Date Published
1988
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Based on a literature review, a survey of Cook County Jail (Illinois) inmates, and interviews with 10 ex-offender ministers, this study examines the effects of religion on the reintegration of ex-inmates.
Abstract
Most current criminological, criminal justice, and correctional literature says little about religion. One exception is Inciardi (1984), who asserts that 'opinions as to the usefulness of religious programs in prisons are decidedly mixed.' Some recent research (Burkett and Warren, 1987) suggests that religion enhances a juvenile's bond to a normative social network, thus providing an indirect effect in deterring delinquency. Data from one author's survey of Cook County Jail inmates (264 females, 118 males) indicates that the church does help ex-offenders adopt normative behaviors and attitudes that foster reintegration. The authors' interviews with 10 ex-offender ministers revealed the general belief among them that religion was the primary factor in pointing their lives in a positive direction. Most have a heavy workload of service to the community, including volunteer activities in corrections, without high monetary rewards. Overall, the authors argue that the church is a community resource that can be a primary factor in helping ex-offenders develop positive behaviors and attitudes upon return to the community. 30 references.