NCJ Number
177853
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 28 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 1999 Pages: 119-134
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study investigates maximum-security prisoners’ orientation toward religion, and the relationship between this orientation and receiving an infraction for violating prison rules.
Abstract
Data was gathered in a survey from 490 inmates randomly selected from a population at Eastern Correctional Facility in New York State. Muslims were the most intrinsically oriented, were more likely to agree that religion was important, and were more likely to receive an infraction(s). Catholics were more likely to agree that religion gives special privileges; and those with no religious affiliation were more likely to agree that some people join a religious group for protection. Logistic regression disclosed that religious affiliation, race, educational level, and age were statistically significant in predicting whether these inmates would receive an infraction. It also appeared that how an inmate’s religious orientation is perceived by those responsible for issuing the infraction (i.e., correctional officers and employees) may be the crucial element in determining which inmates receive rule infractions. Tables, notes, references