Mothers' Spirituality and Religion in the Criminal Justice System

• NCJ Number: 255778
• Journal: Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: 2019 Pages: 259-272
• Author(s): Dominique Burns; John M. Laux; Ashley Scott; Susan M. Long; Dilani Perera-Diltz; Celia Williamson
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-DD-BX-1066
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Since the number of mothers in the criminal justice system (CJS) increased over 700 percent in the past 25 years and not much is known about these mothers' spirituality and religion, the current study examined this issue.

Abstract

A review of the quantitative data of 1,170 mothers and an analysis of the qualitative data on 87 mothers in the criminal justice system regarding their spirituality and religion concluded that although spiritual wellness was important to most, the participating mothers had varied spiritual views and practices. Suggestions are offered for counseling to improve the spiritual wellness of mothers in the criminal justice system. (publisher abstract modified)