The Positive Side of Incarceration

Incarceration is the act of imprisoning a convicted felon. The negative effects of incarceration seem to overshadow how beneficial it can to those with misdemeanors. The power of the church draws the more religious inmates in and gives them a new insight to life and to their religion. Many of the incarcerated did not plan that they would be in jail or prison; many had reasons whether it was childhood or drugs and alcohol, there are now groups that the inmates may attend in order to gain support, positive feedback, and help from others in similar situations. Education programs are also available to any who wish to continue (young adults) or go back to school in order to acquire a GED. From finding faith in a religion, to having a group support system, to getting your GED incarceration can have positive effects on prisoners, despite the negative publicity of prisons.
Religion is too often pushed to the side and ignored by the people who need its spiritual healing and support the most. The impact of these religious programs can help inmates to “change their lives”, “[believe] in [themselves]”, and “[believe] in a better future” that awaits them upon their release (Gardner 24). Prison life can be a caustic experience to an inmate, violence and bad influences can highly influence their behaviors and many of these drown in the terrible consequences of prison, but there are still those few repenting inmates who wish to improve themselves and care about staying out of jail. Such prisoners are attracted to these programs due to their “curiosity about life” and their eager “search for clues to restoring [their] [lives]” (qtd. in Gardner). For these inmates the church welcomes them whole heartedly and gives them a safe environment to lear...

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... overcome the obstacles that once held them back and had led them to prison in the first place The experiences of prison are enough to make a former inmate “do whatever it takes to avoid a second term” (“Rehabilitative Effects”) This being said, the many religious, therapeutic, and educational proceedings have also given prisoners an initiative to stay out of prison The religious aspect gives inmates hope and courage The therapeutic provides inmates with a safe environment to share their issues and to receive positive encouragement And finally, the educational offers a way to acquire a GED and or occupational skills that will enable the previously incarcerated with skills that will give them an advantage to obtaining a job. The negative side of prisons has become the face of prisons, blinding the public to all of the good that incarceration offers the incarcerated.