Christian Psychotherapy & Criminal Rehabilitation: an Integration of Psychology and Theology for Rehabilitative Effectiveness

Recently, there has been a growing interest in biblically based approaches to counseling by spirit filled evangelical scholars and counseling psychologists. They are integrating the research of psychology and religion particularly the Christian Faith, for rehabilitative efforts. Since a review of a number of recidivism studies in various states and in the Federal prison system leads to the conclusion that roughly two-thirds of the offenders released from prison will be reimprisoned, usually for committing new offenses, within a 3-year period, there is a great need for change in our correctional counseling philosophies. When we consider that a large percentage of the inmates that go to jail and prison return to the community unchanged, it can paint a pretty frightening picture of how unsafe our communities really are. Therefore, I believe that it is the church's responsibility to provide an extensive counseling ministry to prisoners through the transformation by the power of Jesus in regeneration and the use of biblical psychological research. This book will focus on the past and present psychological research which has enhanced the integration of psychology and religion. Sweeping generalizations and testimonies of success, unsupported by factual data will not be presented. Articles supporting the idea that Christian conversion is a valid experience in the development of a positive identity will be provided. In addition, an examination of prisoner mental states will be recognized and responded to from a biblical counseling perspective. The design of this investigation will be based upon evaluating certain fundamental Christian behavior characteristics of the conversion experience with the process of personal identity formation. The central theme throughout this book will purport that the Christian faith can play a vital role in the correctional process of an inmate's social adjustment and reintegration into the community.