NCJ Number
166649
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Wardens, correctional officers, and inmates of Alabama prisons present their experiences and views regarding the role of religion and the effectiveness of belief in Jesus Christ and faith in God in rehabilitating offenders, preventing recidivism, and reducing corrections costs.
Abstract
The introduction notes that citizens are increasingly concerned about crime, that imprisonment costs up to $35,000 per inmate per year, and that the Christian religion is the solution to both high crime and high taxes. Correctional personnel and inmates state that inmates who find God and Christ have a change of heart and do not come back to prison; without a spiritual change, they only become better prisoners despite the efforts of vocational, educational, and recreational programs. United Prison Ministries International (UPMI) has made religious materials available to all inmates in some prisons. Inmates responded enthusiastically to the literature. These programs are conducted by volunteers; inmate participation is also voluntary. the UPMI approach is to teach inmates to teach other inmates, to prepare the inmates' families with the same material, and to encourage community acceptance of the inmates when they are released. The program complements current programs and modifies behavior in positive ways. Telephone and fax numbers and web site and mailing address from which to obtain more information