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Conning or Conversion? The Role of Religion in Prison Coping

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

Barbara H. Zaitzow

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Prisons today face what might be a nearly insurmountable task: somehow to meld humane, safe confinement and correctional programming within the context of expanding populations of offenders serving longer sentences. The use of prison religious programs presents one unique program opportunity to channel inmates’ energies in meaningful and beneficial ways. Although religion has always played a vital role in correctional programming, it has also evoked controversy because uninhibited religious expression may conflict with concerns relating to security and safety. In this article, the authors assess a variety of issues surrounding the provision of religious services in prison settings.

Key Words: prison adjustment • faith-based programming • coping in prison • spirituality and incarceration

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