A descriptive study of religion in a federal correctional institution in Virginia

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of religious programming in prison on the lives of prisoners from Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex in Virginia. One-hundred male subjects were selected based on their continued attendance at religious services activities or lack of attendance. The research design was a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group design. Subjects were between the ages of 18-83 years old. The instrument that was used to collected data for this study was SENTRY computerized data files (SENTRY is the state-of-the-art technology, on-line information data base system used by the Bureau of Prisons to provide most of its operational and management information requirements). The files were analyzed to determine any significant changes in institutional adjustment for those individuals who are religious attenders compared to non-religious attenders. Both groups of individuals were evaluated by their institution infractions during a four-month period. Data was analyzed and tested for statistical significance using descriptive and comparative data analysis. The data revealed that religious attendance had no apparent impact on institutional adjustment. Ninety-two percent of the research sample members who attended religious services received no institutional infractions; Ninety-four percent of the research sample members who did not attend religious services received no institutional infractions. The research also revealed that participants with higher or greater offense severity levels were the individuals who were more likely to attend religious services and less likely to receive institutional infractions. Based on the finding of this study, a recommendation was made for further research to explore the impact of religious programming in prisons.