Religiosity Among Incarcerated Women: A Study Based on Research Conducted Among Women Incarcerated in the External Ward in Lubliniec

Abstract

This article presents and analyzes the findings of panel research conducted in April 2023 among a group of 77 women serving prison sentences in the External Ward in Lubliniec, part of the Herby Prison. These results are compared with an earlier study conducted in June 2012 in the same group of women at the then Lubliniec Prison. The aim of the study was to identify changes that occurred in the religiosity of incarcerated women, in terms of  their knowledge of religious doctrines, emotional connection to religion, frequency of religious practices, the relationship between moral life and religion, and their sense of connection to the Church.

The findings suggest that the inmates generally exhibit an average level of religiosity—most frequently reporting a moderate self-assessment of emotional connection to religion, religious practices, the link between moral life and religion, and their relationship with the Church. However, there is also a noticeable shift toward more extreme positions, with an increase in self-reported levels at the very strong, strong, weak, and very weak ends of the spectrum. These results may indicate a possible “de-churchification of religiosity,” which is likely related to significant societal changes taking place in Poland.