Prisoners, Prison, and Religion: Religion and Adjustment to Prison

• NCJ Number: 198676
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 35 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 2002 Pages: 127-159
• Author(s): Todd R. Clear; Melvina T. Sumter
• Editor(s): Thomas P. O'Connor, Nathaniel J. Pallone
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 33 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For related articles see NCJ-198670-75 and NCJ-198677-82.

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between inmate religiousness and inmate adjustment to the prison environment using data from a larger study.

Abstract

A basic challenge facing those incarcerated in prison is coping with the deprivation of loss of freedom. This study focused on inmate adjustment to the prison environment. Specifically, it explored the relationship between inmate religiousness and adjustment to prison through the application of a survey methodology incorporating a recently developed scale of religiousness and a previously developed scale of inmate adjustment to prison. The study indicates that a relationship did appear to exist between inmate religiousness and psychological adjustment to the in-prison environment where inmates who reported higher levels of religiousness also reported higher levels of adjustment. The relationship between religiousness and adjustment is a by-product of the relationships between depression, self-esteem, self-mastery, and adjustment and religiousness. In addition, religious inmates report being placed in confinement less often than non-religious inmates. While other variables mediate this relationship, religiousness often remains a principle determinant of the number of confinements. Further investigation into the nature of the relationships between these variables and the environmental factors which influence these relationships is recommended. Tables and references