The Participation of Faith-Based Organisations in Managing the Regulation of Prisoners' Emotions as an Effort to Improve their Personality

Abstract

This study examines the participation of faith-based organisations in managing the emotional regulation of prisoners as an effort to improve their personality in the correctional environment. The main problems correctional institutions face are not only related to behaviour coaching, but also the regulation of inmates' emotions, which play an important role in rehabilitation and social reintegration. Using a mixed method, this study combines a quantitative approach through surveys to measure changes in inmates' emotions and prosocial behaviour before and after involvement in religious programs, as well as a qualitative approach in the form of in-depth interviews with inmates, officers, and managers of religious organisations.  The results of the quantitative analysis showed that participation in religious programs improved the ability to manage emotions, reduce stress, anxiety, and aggressive behaviour levels, and encourage the development of positive attitudes and empathy among inmates. Qualitative data support these findings, where inmates claim to gain more constructive meaning in life, hope, moral support, and new identities through spiritual activities, group discussions, spiritual coaching, and mentoring from faith-based organisations.  The conclusion of this study confirms that the involvement of faith-based organisations in the development of inmates contributes significantly to the regulation of emotions and better personality formation. These findings recommend strengthening the collaboration of correctional institutions with religious organisations as a multidimensional rehabilitation strategy that can reduce recidivism rates and increase the success of inmate social reintegration.