THE EFFICIENCY OF FAITH BASED PRISON IN HUNGARY
Author/s: Miklós Tihanyi,
Pages: 89-99
UDK: 374.7:343.261-052(439)
2-472(439)
DOI:
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to introduce the effects and results of religious education in the correctional facilities in Hungary. The operation of the Prison Chaplaincy as well as the changes in the inmates’ value systems are the two key topics this research focuses on. The author carried out on-site observations and conducted interviews with prison chaplains in four facilities. Additionally, he compiled data by using questionnaires – Shalom Schwartz’s value scale – to assess nearly 100 inmates participating in religious education activities and other nearly 100 non-participating inmates. In addition to these two groups, the author used the same questionnaire to assess a nearly 100-member civilian congregation as a control group. It can be concluded that religious education may have an impact on their value systems and it is also capable of shifting them from the world of crime towards that of religion. Values emphasizing individual responsibility and community interest can become underlined and more accentuated. These effects show no correlation with the crimes committed. At the same time, the intensity of religious education is of relevant and decisive nature.
Keywords: faith based prison, value system, religion, religion education
References:
– Ádám, A. (2015) Bölcseletek, vallások, jogi alapértékek. (Philosophies, religions, fundamental legal values). Budapest: Pécs, Dialog Campus.
– Burnside, J. (2007) Beatitudes behind the bars – faith based therapeutic commuities in prisons. Available at: http://seekjustice.co.uk/MyBrothersKeeperDownloads/faith_religion_therapeutic_communities.pdf, accessed on 05.02.2018
– Ellis,T., Ellis-Nee, C. Lewis, C. (2016) The Effectiveness of the Kainos Programme Challenge to Change (Final Report). Available at: http://www.langleyhousetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Kainos-Report-Evidence-of-Change-2017.pdf, accessed on 06.04.2018
– Prazsák, G. (2015) Marginális csoportok értékrendszerei. (Value systems of marginal groups) Available at: http://kulturaeskozosseg.hu/pdf/2015/1/09.pdf, accessed on 24.4.2019.
– Schwartz, S. (2000) A Proposal for Measuring Value Orientations across Nations. (Chapter 7 in the Questionnaire Development Package of the European Social Survey). Available at: http://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/docs/methodology/core_ess_questionnaire/ESS_core_questionnaire_human_values.pdf, accessed on 31.10.2017.
– Tihanyi M. (2018) The APAC in Hungary. Magyar Rendészet, 3, pp 209-220
– Váriné, Sz. I. (1987) Az ember, a világ és az értékek világa. Kísérlet az értékek fogalmának behatárolására Az értékek - eszmei objektivációk In: Lengyel Zs. (ed.) Szociálpszichológia. Budapest: Osiris, pp 74-84 (Men, the Universe and the Universal Values, Attempting to Delineate the Concept of Values, Values as Objectivations of the Mind. in: Lengyel, Zs. (ed.) Social psychology)
Laws:
– Act on the Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion, and the Legal Status of Churches, Denominations, and Religious Communities 31 December 2011. Hungarian Gazette No. 2011/160
– The Fundamental Law of Hungary 5 April 2011. Hungarian Gazette No. 2011/43