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ATTITUDES OF WARDS OF REFORMATORIES TOWARDS RELIGION

NCJ Number
147334
Journal
Archiwum Kryminologii Volume: 18 Dated: (1992) Pages: 169-212
Author(s)
Z Lorek
Date Published
1992
Length
44 pages
Annotation
Two hundred juvenile males detained in reformatories and hostels in Poland were surveyed by means of a questionnaire in 1990 to determine their attitudes toward religion.
Abstract
Results revealed that most of the youths (86 percent) were ages 15-19. Nearly half had been confined to a variety of readjustment centers for at least 2 years. Eighty-five percent came from working-class families. Overall, their religious attitudes were similar to those of all youths of the same ages. In addition, no relationship was found between their religious attitudes and their behavior in the institution. Eighteen percent of the youths attended the mass regularly, while 62 percent attended occasionally. Fifteen percent attended religion classes regularly, and 22.55 percent attended occasionally. Twenty-five percent said prayers regularly. Seventy-two percent stated that they would raise their children as Catholics. The youths also stated that the religious services offered by the reformatory generally satisfied their needs in that area.