Evaluation of Education, Rehabilitation and Resocialization Activities in Penitentiary Institutions through Tolkienian Moral Concept

Year 2025, Volume: 83 Issue: 3, 1076 - 1084, 24.10.2025

Burak Taş

https://doi.org/10.26650/mecmua.2025.83.3.009

https://izlik.org/JA56AB97GJ

Abstract

Rehabilitation, education and resocialization activities in penitentiary institutions play a critical role in the process of reintegration of inmates into society. In this process, the internalisation of the distinction between good and evil is extremely important in order to support the moral development of inmates and prevent them from re-offending. One of the most appropriate tools to realise this mission is cultural activities. In order for inmates to reintegrate into the society, educators of penitentiary institutions carry out studies on the need to identify and correct common thinking and behavioural errors that prevent social adaptation. Cultural and artistic activities improve inmates’ emotional control, enhance their social skills, lead to positive behavioral changes during the rehabilitation process, and play a crucial role in their reintegration into society while contributing to the reduction of recidivism rates. The ‘able minds’ project (Altering Behavior through Literary Exploration and Moderated Inquiry-based Discussion Sessions) is an effective model of these studies. This project, the culmination of a librarian-educator’s training in cognitive thinking and pre-release preparation for inmates at the Massachusetts Department of Corrections in Norfolk, aims to move offenders from defining themselves as criminals to defining themselves as pro-social and to teach concrete problem-solving skills. The main source of this project is Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings universe. Individual examples from the Lord of the Rings universe were used to teach inmates self-control based on good human character within the scope of Tolkienian morality. This study will examine how Tolkien’s works can be used as a tool in education, rehabilitation and resocialization programs in penitentiary institutions and how they can contribute to this process. It has been suggested that the effective use and increase of cultural activities in penitentiary institutions would ultimately be highly beneficial in terms of achieving the purpose of punishment, ensuring good behavior, as well as education, rehabilitation, and resocialization.

Keywords

Tolkienian Morality , Criminal Execution , Rehabilitation , Education , Resocialization

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