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The Impact Of Prison Environment On The Religious Beliefs Of Incarcerated Inmates

1863 Words8 Pages

The United States prison system has been observed to impact the religious beliefs of incarcerated individuals significantly. According to a cited source, 72.2% of male inmates become more devout in the Islamic faith during prison. This statistic highlights the influence of the prison environment on the religious practices and beliefs of inmates. The increased religiosity among incarcerated men has been observed and can be attributed to several factors. One such factor is the need for guidance, as incarcerated individuals may feel lost or uncertain about their future. Religion can provide a sense of direction and purpose, offering a moral compass to those who may have lost their way.
Additionally, religion can serve as a coping mechanism for …show more content…

Incarceration has been found to have the potential to trigger religious transformation among individuals by affording them an avenue for spiritual contemplation and development, as per Maschi et al. (2015). The prison environment has the potential to adversely affect the religious beliefs and practices of inmates, as it can be a dehumanizing and isolating experience (Webster & Qasim, 2018). The experience of being incarcerated and being subjected to violence, abuse, and other forms of mistreatment can harm an individual's religiosity, as suggested by Kuile and Ehring (2014). Despite the various obstacles prisoners encounter, many of them resort to religion as a source of solace and direction. According to Wilkinson et al. (2021), prisons have the potential to serve as significant locations for religious transformation, particularly for individuals who choose to embrace Islam. The resilience of prisoners' religious beliefs and practices can be attributed to various factors, including establishing a sense of community through religious activities and services within the prison environment. According to Schneuwly Purdie et al. (2021), this factor plays a significant role in maintaining prisoners' religious beliefs and practices. The provision of Islamic chaplains, prayer services, and study groups can enable prisoners to establish a connection with a broader community, thereby fostering a sense of purpose and significance (Easton, 2010). Establishing a community can safeguard against the detrimental impact of imprisonment on an individual's psychological state and overall welfare, as posited by Webster and Qasim (2018). The provision of religious services and resources in correctional facilities is subject to significant variation and may not always be adequate to address the diverse needs of incarcerated

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