The Practice of Religion and the Reintegration Activity Related to Prisoners in the Development of the Hungarian Prison Legislation

Abstract

Through a review of the history of codification, the author presents the connection between religious practice and the prison chaplain service to the realization of the goals of the reintegration activities of the penitentiary organization. Based on historical precedents, as well as under the effective legal environment created by the changes in codification, the professional aspects of the reintegration activity can be specifically supported by religious practice coordinated by the prison chaplain service. High-level professional knowledge from a reintegration and religious service point of view are prerequisites and mutually complementary parts. Based on his observations and experiences, the author outlines a paradigm in which religious practice appears as a catalyst for successful reintegration.