ITEMS OF INTEREST January 30, 2006 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

with contributions from Joyce Howard Price, Kristen Tagami

"RELIGION CAN REDUCE the incidence of antisocial behavior in prison, an independent study of Mississippi inmates concludes, making faith-based programs an attractive alternative to expensive correctional treatment. 'Religiosity'—believing in a higher power, attending worship services regularly, and participating in faith-based prison programs—directly reduces immate arguments, and thereby the fights that typically follow, according to the study published [in December] in the Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion.

"Studies have shown that treatment programs focusing on literacy, general equivalency diplomas, and college training, and recovery from substance abuse are promising, but are very expensive, compared with faith-based programs, said the study's lead author, Kent R. Kerley, professor of criminal justice at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

"The study was conducted at Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss.—one of the largest prisons in the United States, with 5,500 inmates. ...

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Daily prayer
January 30, 2006
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit