Faith-Based Intervention: Prison, Prayer, and Perseverance
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Religiosity, Religion, or Spirituality?
‘Religiosity is a term researchers use to quantify an individual’s commitment to any particular religion. Although the terms “religion”, “religiousness”, and “religiosity” are often used interchangeably, many researchers prefer “religiosity” because it denotes a specific measure of individual commitment (like “velocity” as a scientific measure in physics) rather than simply common belief held by a number of people’.
1.2. Faith-Based Intervention in Prison
1.3. Narratives and Story Telling
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Epistemological Approach
2.1.1. Sample and Sampling
2.1.2. Data Collection
- How long have you volunteered within prisons in a faith-based capacity?
- In regards to religion, how do you self-identify?
- What role does religion play in the lives of those imprisoned whom you have come into contact with?
- What are the benefits of faith-based intervention?
- What are the challenges of faith-based intervention?
- Previously, you described the importance of supporting ex-offenders and families of ex-offenders, are you able to expand?
- Are you still volunteering within male and female prisons?
- You described being made to feel welcome by the prisoners, please expand?
- What role does faith play in your community?
- In what ways can faith-based initiatives be improved?
2.1.3. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Narrative Identities in Joanna’s Story
3.1.1. Mindful Narrative
3.1.2. Community Narrative
3.1.3. Preacher Narrative
3.1.4. Counsellor Narrative
3.1.5. Forgiveness Narrative
3.1.6. Understanding Narrative
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Narrative Identities | Summary |
---|---|
Community Narrative | The importance of community is focused on. This narrative explores Joanna’s view relating to the role the community plays in the rehabilitation process for those in prison and following release. |
Counsellor Narrative | The counsellor narrative highlights the multifaceted role Joanna plays. Joanna has frequently counselled, advised, and mentored individuals, both those in prison and the family members and friends of those behind the prison walls. |
Family Narrative | The experiences of family members are explored: victimization and secondary victimization is referred to. |
Forgiveness Narrative | This narrative draws upon the need for society to ‘forgive’ and understand the person who has been convicted of a crime. Joanna’s view in relation to forgiveness, God, and faith is also explored within this narrative. |
Gender Narrative | The impact of gender in a prison environment is discussed. Additionally, the implication of a person’s offence history and volunteering within a male-dominated environment is explored. |
Mindful Narrative | In the mindful narrative, Joanna expresses being mindful of her role in prison. Aspects such as attire, intentions, and the impact of gender are explored. |
Observant Narrative | This narrative is concerned with working within prison settings and being aware of what is taking place within the prison and in the lives of those in prison. |
Personal Narrative | This narrative highlights Joanna’s personal experience of supporting her son whilst he was in prison. The personal narrative is emotive, drawing on past and current experiences and how these have impacted Joanna’s faith-based practice today. |
Preacher Narrative | The preacher narrative draws heavily on Christian beliefs, doctrine, and scripture. Reference is made to beliefs, forgiveness, the role of God, and the influential role of faith in the rehabilitation process of those in prison. |
Understanding Narrative | This narrative expresses an understanding of the impact crime has on the person in prison and the family members of those incarcerated. |
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Robinson-Edwards, S.; Kewley, S. Faith-Based Intervention: Prison, Prayer, and Perseverance. Religions 2018, 9, 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9040130
Robinson-Edwards S, Kewley S. Faith-Based Intervention: Prison, Prayer, and Perseverance. Religions. 2018; 9(4):130. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9040130
Chicago/Turabian StyleRobinson-Edwards, Shona, and Stephanie Kewley. 2018. "Faith-Based Intervention: Prison, Prayer, and Perseverance" Religions 9, no. 4: 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9040130
APA StyleRobinson-Edwards, S., & Kewley, S. (2018). Faith-Based Intervention: Prison, Prayer, and Perseverance. Religions, 9(4), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9040130