The Role of Leisure Participation in Prison

Abstract

Abstract The role of sport in prison life is examined using questionnaire data from a survey of 1770 inmates of a state prison system. These inmates were asked questions concerning the extent of participation in various leisure and sport activities while in prison. The analysis seeks to determine some of the impacts of this participation on prison life. Leisure participation was grouped into active and passive categories and then correlated with background factor and with problems the respondent experienced in daily prison life such as boredom, fighting, sexual assaults, temper flare-ups, and difficulties with correctional personnel. The place of leisure activity in tension management is examined in this study, one of a few that investigates the role of leisure in prison settings.