Religious Violence In Prison Research Paper

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Pages: 4

Religion as a Social Control Device in Prison

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A large number of America’s residents are in prison or jail, a situation that burdens the families of the imprisoned as well as the society. A number of faith based organizations have been working together with prison authorities in order to reduce the chances of recidivism and find ways to serve the imprisoned better.
For instance, Burl Cain, a warden of Louisiana State Penitentiary has always advocated for moral rehabilitation. Cain believes that moral people are not felonious nor criminals and moral rehabilitation is the only genuine rehabilitation. According to Cain, moral rehabilitation refers to learning how to live productively, peacefully while in a prison community setting. He believes that moral rehabilitation is being achieved through the increasing number of inmates in his prison. He has proved that the use of religion as well as peer counseling when backed up with keen and sharp discipline helps change individuals and dives them a sense of community even in men consumed by despair and rage.
On the other hand, some scholars argue whether religion has helped reduce recidivism and create
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Men of valor claims that its aftercare and reentry program has proved effective leading to less than 15% of recidivism in men who have completed the program. The programs involved in these groups involve activities such as counseling, mentoring, and assistance in getting shelter, food and clothing as well as job placements. The CSM article questions how the groups are encouraging positive changes in the lives of people without necessarily privileging one religion. Both groups have gone ahead to defend themselves by posting positive results in people who have undergone through the programs. They believe that faith is all that matters when it comes to changing a person for the