Spiritual Entrepreneurs: Florida's Faith-Based Prisons and the American Carceral State

The article discusses the rise of incarceration in the US and the use of faith-based correctional institutions (FCBIs) as a solution. FCBIs are almost always run by Protestants within the Christian right and offer religious programming to incarcerated individuals. The author argues that FCBIs build on and demonstrate the compatibility of conservative Christian politics and neoliberal economics. While the effectiveness of FCBIs in assisting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates is not definitively known, similar programs are appearing across the nation. The article also exposes the intricate connections between incarceration, neoliberal economics, and religious freedom.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 30 April 2021
\n Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
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The incarceration rate in the United States has experienced a significant increase since the 1970s, with a notable surge during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Recently, it has reached unprecedented heights. In response to the challenges posed by the growing prison population, Florida's Department of Corrections has sought innovative solutions. One such approach is faith- and character-based correctional institutions (FCBIs), which claim to be open to all religious traditions. However, it is worth noting that FCBIs are predominantly run by Protestants within the Christian right's political sphere. The religious programming in FCBIs is often facilitated by both incarcerated individuals and volunteers from outside the prison. Brad Stoddard, in his book "God's Prisoners: Faith and Character-Based Correctional Institutions," delves deep into these institutions, examining the nuanced meanings and challenging choices faced by incarcerated individuals, prison administrators, staff, and chaplains on a daily basis. Drawing on extensive ethnographic research and historical analysis, Stoddard argues that FCBIs build on and demonstrate the compatibility of conservative Christian politics and neoliberal economics. While there is limited data available to assess the effectiveness of FCBIs in terms of rehabilitation and recidivism rates, similar programs are emerging nationwide. Interestingly, Iowa has declared FCBIs illegal under non-establishment-of-religion statutes. Through his comprehensive exploration, Stoddard sheds light on the intricate connections between incarceration, neoliberal economics, and religious freedom, making a timely contribution to ongoing debates about the role of religion in American society.

\n Weight: 440g\n
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781469663081\n \n