Melvina Sumter

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

SUMMARY During the twentieth century there has been much speculation by scholars in the United States about the relationship between religion and prisoners. In spite of the fact that both religion and the prison have been subjected to considerable study, we know little about religion in prison, particularly as it relates to the psychological adjustment of offenders to the prison environment and reduction in problematic behaviors such as disciplinary infractions. Applying a survey methodology which incorporates a recently developed scale of religiousness (the first to be developed with the assistance of inmates specifically for use with inmates) and a previously developed scale of inmate adjustment to prison, this study explores the relationship between inmate religiousness and adjustment to prison and the number of disciplinary confinements they receive. A self-report questionnaire was administered to a non-random sample of 769 inmates in 20 prisons from 12 states in order to determine if an inmates religiousness was related to prison adjustment and the number of disciplinary infractions they received. The findings from the study indicate that a significant relationship exists between inmate religiousness and multiple measures of inmate adjustment to the prison environment. More specifically, increasing levels of religiousness, as measured by a self-report questionnaire, are associated with higher levels of in-prison adjustment, as measured by the Wright prison adjustment questionnaire. Similarly, inmate religiousness (as measured by the same self-report questionnaire) is also significantly related to the number of times inmates report being placed in disciplinary confinement for violation of prison rules. Thus, higher levels of inmate religiousness are associated with better psychological adjustment to the prison environment and fewer self-reported disciplinary confinements.

Bringing the field into the criminal justice classroom: Field trips, ride-alongs, and guest speakers

Educators in a number of disciplines rely on field strategies to show their students how to apply concepts they have learned in their coursework. Very little guidance has been provided to criminal justice educators on ways to successfully bring the field into their classroom. Three strategies for bringing “the real world” into criminal justice courses include field trips, police ride-alongs, and the use of guest speakers. Using our experiences and ideas from the educational literature, this paper addresses the use of each method and suggests a number of strategies to make these field experiences pedagogically successful in criminal justice courses.

The Benefits of Meditation Practice in the Correctional Setting

This research examined the impact of a structured meditation program intervention on female detainees, comparing an experimental group and a control group for medical symptoms, emotions, and behaviors before and after the intervention. A 2 1/2-hour meditation session was held once a week for 7 weeks. Study participants completed a medical symptoms checklist before the program began and after it ended. At the posttest period, the experimental group experienced fewer sleeping difficulties, less desire to throw things or hit people, and less nail or cuticle biting; were more hopeful about their future; and felt less guilt. Meditation was beneficial for this population and may be a cost-effective tool for inmates and administrators. Meditation effects, especially among inmates, merit further research attention.

Offenders’ Perceptions of Reentry Needs in Trinidad and Tobago An Exploratory Study

Little work explores reentry needs in Trinidad and Tobago. Currently, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison System (TTPS) is designing a parole system which would allow the early release of incarcerated individuals. This work aims to inform the development of such policy by examining what offenders perceive as key needs for successful reentry. Utilizing a sample of 50 offenders who volunteered to participate and who are currently incarcerated in the TTPS, the authors assess how offenders perceive current services and perceived reentry needs. Content analysis reveals that offenders see the need for counseling, help with employment, and locating housing on release from prison. Further, acceptance by the community and a desire to be treated fairly while incarcerated are reported as critical for successfully reentering communities. Notably, a significant number of those incarcerated are dealing with related drug issues. Thus, our data suggest, like O’Connell, that drug counseling and building prosocial ties are essential for successful transition out of incarceration.