Jailhouse Jesus is the colloquial term [citation needed] for an observed psychological phenomenon of new inmates to 'find religion' during their incarceration.
[1] Soon after the passing of Religious Freedom Restoration Act, it was overturned after the decision in 1994 in the case of Boerne v. Flores, 521 U.S. 507 where it was decided that it was unconstitutional to apply the law to the states.
This law allows inmates to practice a wide variety of religions without discrimination, as well as attend regular services and possess many religious items.
The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...” The Correctional system often struggles to find a balance between these two contrasting ideals of freedom and safety.
Some prisoners may seek to improve their life and the discipline required to practice religion helps them to change and control their actions.
[8] According to the 2013 census, completed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the estimated number of inmates in the United States prison system was 1,574,700 people.