[The influence of religious participation on the adjustment of male prisoners]

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research coordinator, colleagues, and peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Religion has always remained an integral part of human life. Right from the beginning, humans have accepted the influence of religion and religious programmes, aimed at providing them an opportunity to look into their lives and transform themselves according to the teachings and provisions of the religion. Community organisations have also played a vital role in advancing and supporting the cause of faith-based programmes, which are meant to influence the thinking and practical approach individuals take towards the religious aspect of their existence. In contemporary times, prisoners and inmates are found to have been influenced by religious programmes the most. This dissertation presents an in-depth quantitative analysis regarding the influence of religious participation on the adjustment of male prisoners living in the Great Britain. The first chapter provides a brief background to the topic including the problem statement, purpose, and significance of this particular research study. The second chapter presents the literature review that mainly focuses on prisoners' education and the tendency of the inmates to participate in faith-based programmes. The third chapter covers the methodology, which uses quantitative research approach. The sample population consists of British prisoners only. The findings and analysis of results is presented in the fourth chapter, followed by the fifth chapter that concludes the dissertation, providing implications and recommendations for further research.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTI

DECLARATIONII

ABSTRACTIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Introduction1

Background1

Statement of the Problem2

Significance of the Study4

Purpose4

Rationale5

Research Questions and Hypotheses6

Assumptions7

Reliability and Validity8

Nature of the Study9

Organisation of the Remainder of the Study9

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE11

Historical Review of Prison Adjustment11

Theoretical Framework12

Education in Prison12

Length of Time Incarcerated14

The Power of Visitation15

Programme Involvement16

Summary17

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY19

Research Design19

Sampling Design19

Instrumentation21

Study Variables23

Data Collection25

Data Analysis27

Ethical Considerations28

CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA30

Introduction30

Description of the Sample30

Results of the Prison Adjustment Questionnaire34

Results of the Prison Violence Inventory (PVI)40

Data Analysis47

Summary of Results54

Conclusion55

CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS56

Introduction56

Summary56

Discussion58

Limitations of the Study60

Conclusions62

Implications for Future research63

Recommendations63

REFERENCES65

APPENDIX A68

APPENDIX B71

APPENDIX C74

APPENDIX D83

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Inmates enter prisons with experiences and demographic characteristics that are important predictors of later adjustment (Dollard, Dollard, Byrne, Byrne, 2003, 92). High levels of pre-existing difficulties, little support in an institution, and fear of the incarceration experience are important factors in understanding adjustment to prison (Davis, 1974, 269). According to (Wright, 1993, 93), restricted opportunities for choice and control in prison constitute one of the major difficulties of adjusting to institutional life. (Wright, 1985, 257) stated that the 1950's through the late 1970's are often referred to as the golden age of prison research in that sociological ...