Evangelical Belief and Nonviolent Behavior in Chilean Inmates

Claudia Andrea Reyes-Quilodran,Daniela Paz Guzman

doi:10.3390/rel13020112

Abstract

This study examines whether religious beliefs motivate nonviolent behavior and lower rates of recidivism among Chilean inmates. We collected data through in-depth interviews with 174 inmates using open and close-ended questions. The research used a proportional random sample to select participants, principal component analysis to identify similarities and differences between groups, and content analysis to examine answers to the open-ended interview questions. Its findings indicate that evangelical inmates in Chilean prisons are less violent, more likely to follow internal jail regulations, and more cooperative with professionals and officials. This study contributes to the literature because there was no previous evidence in Chile that religious association, religious conviction, or a desire to change criminal behavior is instrumental to achieving better security during inmates’ stays in prison. The results also demonstrate that the presence of a peer group, with its emotional support and provision of a daily routine, is fundamental if inmates are to successfully handle their anxiety and be less violent.

Highlights

Seventy per cent of Chilean inmates say that they feel less safe in prison than they did before they went to prison (UNDP 2013)
This is partially attributable to the high levels of violence seen in Chilean prisons—43.1% of Chilean inmates report that they have been beaten by other inmates (UNDP 2013)
Prison authorities stated in interviews that inmates often declare themselves as Evangelicals regardless of their actual religious beliefs because they know that Evangelical groups are relatively safe

Summary

Introduction

Seventy per cent of Chilean inmates say that they feel less safe in prison than they did before they went to prison (UNDP 2013) This is partially attributable to the high levels of violence seen in Chilean prisons—43.1% of Chilean inmates report that they have been beaten by other inmates (UNDP 2013). Social workers and psychologists who work in Chile’s prison detention centers have long asserted that inmates who are practicing evangelical Christians are less violent during their time in prison. They assert that these inmates are more likely to follow the prisons’ internal regulations more closely and be more co-operative with professionals and supervisors. We note that they have observed nonviolent Evangelical inmates under the same prison conditions as other highly violent inmates

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion