Religious Aspect of Quality of Life in Serbian Prisons: Preliminary Research Results

Religious engagement has been shown to promote positive outcomes for inmates, such as reduced drug use, increased prosocial behaviour, and improved mental well-being while aiding their adjustment to prison life. However, research exploring the relationship between religious practice and inmates’ perceived quality of prison life, especially within the Serbian prison system, remains limited. The research aimed to examine the differences in the perception of the quality of prison life in relation to the possibility of practising one's religion in prison, focusing on the quality of prison life cumulatively, but also through individual dimensions – Harmony, Professionalism, Security, Conditions and Family Contact and Well-being and Development. This study collected data from a convenient sample of 632 inmates across five Serbian prisons using a Serbian-adapted MQPL (Measuring the Quality of Prison Life) survey. Participants were asked about their religion and the possibility of practising their religious customs in prison. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Inmates who had the opportunity to practice their religious customs reported significantly higher quality of prison life across all dimensions than those who did not. Specifically, these inmates perceived greater harmony, professionalism, safety, better living conditions, and family contact, as well as higher overall well-being and personal development. While preliminary findings indicate a potential for religious practices to be a valuable component of rehabilitation, further research is necessary to fully understand how these practices contribute to positive outcomes such as improved adaptation to prison life, personal development, and more. This knowledge can inform the development of more effective rehabilitation programs.