About the book
The overall rate of incarceration in the United States has been on the rise since 1970s, skyrocketing during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, and recently reaching unprecedented highs. Looking for innovative solutions to the crises produced by gigantic prison populations, Florida’s Department of Corrections claims to have found a partial remedy in the form of faith and character-based correctional institutions (FCBIs). While claiming to be open to all religious traditions, FCBIs are almost always run by Protestants situated within the politics of the Christian right. The religious programming is typically run by the incarcerated along with volunteers from outside the prison. Stoddard takes the reader deep inside FCBIs, analyzing the subtle meanings and difficult choices with which the incarcerated, prison administrators, staff, and chaplains grapple every day. Drawing on extensive ethnographic research and historical analysis, Brad Stoddard argues that FCBIs build on and demonstrate the compatibility of conservative Christian politics and neoliberal economics.
Even without authoritative data on whether FCBIs are assisting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates, similar programs are appearing across the nation—only Iowa has declared them illegal under non-establishment-of-religion statutes. Exposing the intricate connections among incarceration, neoliberal economics, and religious freedom, Stoddard makes a timely contribution to debates about religion’s role in American society.
Editions of Spiritual Entrepreneurs
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469663074
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469663081
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469663104
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890859136
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469663098
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890859129
Read an Excerpt
The overall rate of incarceration in the United States has been on the rise since 1970s, skyrocketing during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, and recently reaching unprecedented highs. Looking for innovative solutions to the crises produced by gigantic prison populations, Florida’s Department of Corrections claims to have found a partial remedy in the form of faith and character-based correctional institutions (FCBIs). While claiming to be open to all religious traditions, FCBIs are almost always run by Protestants situated within the politics of the Christian right. The religious programming is typically run by the incarcerated along with volunteers from outside the prison. Stoddard takes the reader deep inside FCBIs, analyzing the subtle meanings and difficult choices with which the incarcerated, prison administrators, staff, and chaplains grapple every day. Drawing on extensive ethnographic research and historical analysis, Brad Stoddard argues that FCBIs build on and demonstrate the compatibility of conservative Christian politics and neoliberal economics.
Even without authoritative data on whether FCBIs are assisting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates, similar programs are appearing across the nation—only Iowa has declared them illegal under non-establishment-of-religion statutes. Exposing the intricate connections among incarceration, neoliberal economics, and religious freedom, Stoddard makes a timely contribution to debates about religion’s role in American society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiritual Entrepreneurs about?
The overall rate of incarceration in the United States has been on the rise since 1970s, skyrocketing during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, and recently reaching unprecedented highs. Looking for innovative solutions to the crises produced by gigantic prison populations, Florida’s Department of Corrections claims to have found a partial remedy in the form of faith and character-based correctional institutions (FCBIs). While claiming to be open to all religious traditions, FCBIs are almost always run by Protestants situated within the politics of the Christian right. The religious programming is typically run by the incarcerated along with volunteers from outside the prison. Stoddard takes the reader deep inside FCBIs, analyzing the subtle meanings and difficult choices with which the incarcerated, prison administrators, staff, and chaplains grapple every day. Drawing on extensive ethnographic research and historical analysis, Brad Stoddard argues that FCBIs build on and demonstrate the compatibility of conservative Christian politics and neoliberal economics.
Even without authoritative data on whether FCBIs are assisting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates, similar programs are appearing across the nation—only Iowa has declared them illegal under non-establishment-of-religion statutes. Exposing the intricate connections among incarceration, neoliberal economics, and religious freedom, Stoddard makes a timely contribution to debates about religion’s role in American society.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Spiritual Entrepreneurs?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Religion: general > Religious issues and debates > Religion and politics
Where can I read a sample of Spiritual Entrepreneurs?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469663074
How long is Spiritual Entrepreneurs and how many pages does it have?
Spiritual Entrepreneurs has 272 page(s)
Is Spiritual Entrepreneurs part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Where Religion Lives
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Spiritual Entrepreneurs?
Brad Stoddard
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Spiritual Entrepreneurs is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469663074) and paperback(ISBN 9781469663081) and ebook(ISBN 9781469663104) and ebook(ISBN 9798890859136) and ebook(ISBN 9781469663098) and pdf(ISBN 9798890859129)
Where can I buy Spiritual Entrepreneurs online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Spiritual Entrepreneurs from below
Where can I buy Spiritual Entrepreneurs?