Prison Bible Studies Can Reduce Rearrests, Research Shows

Are Bibles the latest weapon against crime and rearrests? According to the first study in the nation on the link between rearrests and religious variables, "Bibles behind bars"can be a significant deterrent to recidivism (rearrest) among prison inmates. The research, conducted for Prison Fellowship Ministries (PF) by National Institute for Healthcare Research (NIRH), was presented at a press conference at 12 noon, April 8, 1997, at the National Press Club. The results have been published in the March 1997 edition of Justice Quarterly.

In the study, 201 male inmates from four New York prisons participated in PF Bible studies. Recidivism rates were measured by the number of arrests of former inmates from both the PF and non-PF participant groups during a one-year postrelease period. The study found that Bible-study participation among PF participants was related significantly to a lower likelihood of arrest during the follow-up period than in the matched non-PF group.

The study results were presented by participants including researcher and psychiatrist David B. Larson, M.D., president of NIHR; criminologist Byron Johnson, Ph.D., Director for Justice Research and Education at Lamar University, Beaumont, TX and principal investigator on the study; public policy analyst John J. DiIulio, Ph.D., Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University and Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution; Prison Fellowship president, Tom Pratt. A former prisoner, Dan Croce from Plymouth, Mass. shared how his experience with prison Bible studies changed his life. He is now a chaplain to prisoners.

In analyzing the results, the researchers say the study has great potential for effecting the future of over one million inmates, most all of whom will be released within the next five years. Says Dr. Larson, "In identifying treatments to reduce recidivism, the field of corrections should focus on programs which address core values and behaviors instead of those which target personal distress variables such as self-esteem, depression, anxiety, etc. With our current rearrest rate of 50 to 75 percent, there is no evidence that continuing to target personal distress factors will lower recidivism rates. There is evidence to support the effectiveness of targeting core values (inherent in Bible-based programs) to reduce recidivism."

Despite the success of the study, the researchers were quick to point out that more research is needed to determine the full potential of Bible study participation in reducing recidivism.

Dr. Johnson adds, "Projects involving religion have traditionally been viewed as nonfundable. Given the results of this study, we are calling on the government and other funding institutions to reconsider the potential of this variable and open up funding opportunities."

For more than 20 years, Prison Fellowship has served as a gospel outreach to men and women in prison. Former Nixon aide Charles W. (Chuck) Colson is chairman.

Funding for the study was provided by the John Templeton Foundation.