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NCJ 217297
Thomas P. O'Connor
What Works, Religion as a Correctional Intervention: Part II
Journal of Community Corrections Volume:14 Issue:1 Dated:Winter 2005 Pages:4-6, 20 to 26
To date, the outcome studies that have examined the impact of religion on offender attitudes and behaviors are encouraging but not conclusive. Although some studies have shown an overall positive impact on rehabilitation of the religious involvement of prisoners, both religious programming and research into the effects of that programming must improve before offenders and society can experience the significant benefits that religion can offer in providing a constructive meaning to life and a supportive, loving community that nurtures positive attitudes, self-esteem, and concern for others. Religion itself sometimes undermines this goal by reinforcing a punitive approach to corrections under the belief that behavior is changed by coerced obedience through punishment and the fear of punishment. Belief in a vengeful God who demands punitive justice has been influential in molding historical and contemporary correctional policies. The religious involvement of prisoners places them in contact with prison chaplains and religiously motivated volunteers who believe in rehabilitation and the successful community adjustment of released offenders. There is a growing body of research that shows the positive impact of these influences. The literature review examined associations between religion and crime in 12 studies. 3 tables and 51 references
NCJ 217319
N. du Preez ; W. Luyt
Curriculation and Methodology in Relation to Development Programmes in Prisons
Acta Criminologica Volume:17 Issue:1 Dated:2004 Pages:24 to 33
The importance of education programs within the corrections framework is widely recognized by countries around the world as crucially important for the rehabilitation of offenders and the improvement of public safety. The authors briefly review the correctional education programs in different countries, including the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Britain. Examples of exceptional corrections education programming are offered for each country, such as Hong Kong’s compulsory education program for juvenile offenders that requires juvenile offenders to spend half their day receiving formal education and the other half receiving vocational education. The scope of education programming in South Africa’s correctional system is considered, which prioritizes the elimination of illiteracy among prisoners. Formal education in South African prisons span the spectrum of academic training with literacy identified as the core ingredient of educational efforts. The authors discuss the necessity of using appropriate teaching methods for adult inmate populations, which tend to have diverse educational backgrounds and personal characteristics. The importance of offering educational programming that is similar to what is offered in the community is also stressed as a key component of successful offender educational programming along with the inclusion of career guidance. Prison labor is widely used as a training tool and can offer offenders important lessons concerning vocational skills and self-sufficiency. Alternative methods of offender development and education in prison settings are identified, such as prison libraries, book clubs, drama and theatre, and visual arts programs. The importance of inmate involvement and ownership in the educational programming is underscored as crucial to any program’s success. Flexibility must be built within these programs to allow for offenders’ unique learning patterns. Bibliography
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