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Cited by 2Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyContemporary Christian Leadership and EducationCriminal Justice and Corrections Analysis

Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person

Open access
Hylton, Leo·2022·Religions
DOI 10.3390/rel13030222
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Abstract

This article examines the case study of Joseph, an incarcerated man in a northeastern state who experienced myriad traumas over the course of his life and attained healing through spirituality. We follow his story from his abusive childhood home to the foster care system, where he was further traumatized through repeated forced separations. Then, through his adolescent years and his witnessing the deaths of two integral people in his life, we see Joseph’s spiritual struggles that led him into a life of violence and into an adulthood that found him quickly transitioned from the foster care system to the prison system. It is not until years into his prison sentence that we see Joseph begin attaining some semblance of spiritual clarity and grounding—and this through the providential intervention of a man of faith who himself is incarcerated. Interwoven in Joseph’s case study is a thread of extant literature pertaining to the overarching themes of this article: Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing. To honor Joseph’s faith and to most accurately represent his voice and experience, the author’s references to God are almost exclusively in relation to the Judeo–Christian faith tradition, while acknowledging the much wider application of the term “spirituality”.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This article presents a single case study of Joseph, an incarcerated man in a northeastern state, tracing his life from childhood abuse and foster-care separations through trauma, spiritual struggle, violence, and eventual healing through spirituality. It interweaves Joseph’s narrative with literature on trauma, spiritual coping, and forgiveness/service as pathways to healing.

Key findings

  • Joseph experienced physical, mental, and emotional abuse by his father, repeated forced separations in foster care, and the deaths of his foster mother and biological father; these are framed as spiritual violations and were followed within a year by diagnoses of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and emotional detachment disorder (EDD).
  • He employed primarily negative spiritual coping mechanisms, including distrust and enmity toward God, which the article links to distress and spiritual death; after almost two years in county jails, he was sentenced to 90 years in prison, with all suspended but 50 years to serve, plus 16 years of probation.
  • Healing began after three years incarcerated, when he admitted the harm he caused; an incarcerated mentor, Jethro, intervened and over a three-year period guided Joseph and David through restorative justice-mediated dialogue that led to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation.
  • Ten years of dedicated spiritual work later, Joseph reports sustained healing through continued forgiveness and service, which the article connects to literature on positive spiritual coping, posttraumatic growth, and psychological well-being.

Methods

  • Qualitative single case study of Joseph, an incarcerated man in a northeastern state; the author knew Joseph throughout his incarceration, and Joseph was intimately involved in presenting his voice.
  • The article interweaves Joseph’s life narrative with extant literature organized around Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing themes; no formal sampling or quantitative analysis is reported.
  • Sources include Joseph’s recollections and cited scholarly literature; the article states it received no external funding.

Limitations

  • Stated: the single case study is not representative of all incarcerated people, and the information is unique to Joseph’s experience (geographical location, race, upbringing, gender, etc.).
  • Stated: the case study is subject to flaws inherent in trauma-affected memory, retrieved in fragments as perceived by a child and adolescent and only gaining clarity in adulthood.
  • Evident: the account relies on retrospective self-report and the author’s close relationship and advocacy role, with Joseph involved in presenting his voice, which may shape interpretation; no independent verification is described.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/rel13030222

Cites

15 of 17 references verified0 citation errors · 2 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

4 of 36 cited sources checked · 2 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Traumatic events adversely affect a person's mental health.

    “As we saw in Joseph's dual diagnoses of ODD and EDD, and supported by Salazar et al. (2013), traumatic events adversely affect a person's mental health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Salazar et al. (2013) source
  • Premisecitation

    Struggles from negative spiritual coping can significantly increase anxiety, wherein people feel God is punishing them, has abandoned them, or is not able to intercede on their behalf.

    “As we see through Joseph's experience, Koenig (2009) shows that the struggles that arise from negative spiritual coping can significantly increase anxiety, wherein people feel that God is punishing them, has abandoned them, or is not able to intercede on their behalf.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Koenig (2009) source
  • Findingnone given

    Joseph's near-daily assaults on his mind, heart, and body ended when he entered the foster care system.

    “The near-daily assaults on his mind, heart, and body finally came to an end when Joseph entered the foster care system.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    In childhood, Joseph was subjected to physical, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of his father.

    “In childhood, he was subjected to physical, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, which led to repeated traumatic separations and spiritual confusion after he entered the foster care system.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    After nine months, Joseph was ripped away from the only family he wanted to call his own.

    “However, after nine months, he was ripped away from the only family he wanted to call his own.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 41
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 31

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Spirituality predicts psychological well-being for adults who have experienced childhood trauma, leading to less depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance abuse.

    “In extant literature, spirituality is shown to predict psychological well-being for adults who have experienced childhood trauma (Balgobin 2021), leading to less depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance abuse (Koenig 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Balgobin 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Koenig 2009 source

      The Summary and Conclusions passage says religious involvement is related to less depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance abuse, supporting the four outcomes attributed to Koenig. It reports an association with religious involvement, however, not that spirituality causes those outcomes. The childhood-trauma finding is cited to Balgobin, not Koenig. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Spirituality serves to comfort people, assuage anxiety, increase feelings of security, and boost confidence in oneself and/or in Divine beings.

    “Spirituality serves to comfort people, assuage anxiety, and increase feelings of security, also boosting confidence in oneself and/or in what Harold G. Koenig (2009) calls “Divine beings”.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Koenig (2009) source

      The Anxiety section says religious beliefs and practices can comfort anxious people, increase security, and boost self-confidence or confidence in Divine beings. The citing sentence presents these possible effects as general effects of spirituality, whereas the paper’s Definitions section cautions that spirituality is a broader, poorly defined term. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    More than 19 years after the forced separation, Joseph still remembers the event and resolved to never love anyone again, not even God.

    “More than 19 years after the forced separation, at the time of this writing, Joseph still remembers looking out the back window of the station wagon that carried him away from the tears streaming down his would-be mother's face.That was the day Joseph resolved to never love anyone again.Ever.Not even God, because if God loved him, He would not have hurt him like that again.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Joseph experienced physical and emotional abuse from his father, which inflicted trauma upon him.

    “As we will see, Joseph experienced physical and emotional abuse from his father, thus inflicting trauma upon him.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Joseph began to experience spiritual peace and to rebuild trust and belief in parental love and protection while with the Canadian family.

    “Joseph finally began to experience a spiritual peace and rebuild a trust and belief in parental love and protection.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    At his next foster home, Joseph found a family who grew to love him and whom he grew to love.

    “At his next home, Joseph found a family who grew to love him.Whom he grew to love.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The Canadian couple wanted to adopt Joseph and postponed his transfer to a longer-term foster home in hopes of obtaining full citizenship and completing the process.

    “The Canadian couple wanted to adopt Joseph, and they managed to postpone his transfer to a longer-term foster home in hopes that they could obtain full citizenship and complete the process.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Joseph found himself confused at the nature of a loving God who would allow such suffering.

    “Faced with what he saw as a grave injustice, Joseph found himself confused at the nature of a loving God who would allow such suffering.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Joseph's mother remained largely oblivious to the depth and extent of her surviving sons' suffering because she was busy keeping food on the table, a roof over her children's heads, and caring for her husband's extensive medical needs.

    “Joseph's mother was so busy trying to keep food on the table, a roof over her children's heads, and her husband's extensive medical needs cared for that she remained largely oblivious to the depth and extent of the suffering of her surviving sons.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Joseph spent many nights in the prison's segregation unit plotting David's demise while spiritually dying himself.

    “Joseph spent many of those long nights in the prison's segregation unit plotting David's untimely demise, while spiritually dying himself.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Joseph still needed help in building well-being; he needed to serve.

    “Yet, he still needed help in building well-being.He needed to serve.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingreasoning

    Joseph experienced a varied multitude of traumas throughout the course of his life.

    “Joseph experienced a varied multitude of traumas throughout the course of his life.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Joseph casts his cares on the Lord, knowing that He cares for him, as he feels guided to do in 1 Peter 5:7.

    “Rather, Joseph casts his cares on the Lord, knowing that He cares for him, as Joseph feels he is guided to do in 1 Peter 5:7 (The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) 1982).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites 1 Peter 5:7

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) 1982

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    Joseph believes God intervened by providing him with a mentor who facilitated the processes of forgiveness and reconciliation between him and his foster brother.

    “Thankfully, Joseph believes God intervened by providing him with a mentor who facilitated the processes of forgiveness and reconciliation between him and his foster brother-ultimately leading to Joseph's spiritual healing through continued service.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Over a three-year period, Jethro guided David and Joseph through the restorative justice-mediated dialog process outlined by Llamas and Larson (n.d.), which ultimately led to mutual forgiveness, healing, and genuine reconciliation.

    “Over a three-year period, Jethro also guided David and Joseph through the restorative justice-mediated dialog process that is outlined by Llamas and Larson (n.d.), which ultimately led to mutual forgiveness, healing, and genuine reconciliation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Llamas and Larson (n.d.)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingreasoning

    Joseph remains vigilant against any regression in his character, conduct, or conversation.

    “Now living in a state of constant self-evaluation and -reflection, Joseph remains vigilant against any regression in his character, conduct, or conversation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingnone given

    For Joseph, service was all three: a spiritual practice, a spiritual pathway, and a spiritual destination.

    “For Joseph, service was all three.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Joseph had been ill-equipped to deal with the deadening effects of guilt and shame he felt as a result of his actions, so he lied to himself, to God, and to everyone else in fear of being held accountable.

    “He had been ill-equipped to deal with the deadening effects of the guilt and shame he felt as a result of his actions, so he lied to himself, to God, and to everyone else in fear of being held accountable for his actions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    At the end of those three years, Joseph was finally able to both forgive David and seek his forgiveness.

    “seeking forgiveness, at the end of those three years, Joseph was finally able to both forgive David and seek his forgiveness.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingreasoning

    Joseph had also come to understand that he needed to afford himself the same forgiveness he was to offer to others.

    “Joseph had also come to understand that he needed to afford himself the same forgiveness he was to offer to others.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Ten years of dedicated spiritual work later, Joseph knows what it means to love, serve, and give of himself without expecting anything in return.

    “Ten years of dedicated spiritual work later, Joseph knows what it means to love, serve, and give of himself without expecting anything in return.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Jethro is a 'reparative leader'; he intervened and became Joseph's mentor.

    “This man, Jethro, is what Carolyn E. Yoder (2020) calls a “reparative leader”; he intervened and became Joseph's mentor.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Carolyn E. Yoder (2020)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Over several years, Jethro introduced Joseph to the Jesus Christ of the Bible and challenged him to learn God's Word, put it into practice, and watch God prove His Word true.

    “Over several years, Jethro further introduced Joseph to the Jesus Christ of the Bible as opposed to the effeminate Europeanized version that kept Joseph away from Him for most of his life.Jethro challenged Joseph to learn God's Word, put it into practice and watch God prove His Word true-and Himself real and living.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Joseph learned to pray, fast, and seek God's face for guidance, strength, and peace, growing to truly trust God to keep His promises.

    “Joseph learned to pray, fast, and seek God's face for guidance, strength, and peace, growing to truly trust God to keep His promises.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Joseph no longer allows himself to carry the stress and traumas of his past, as he has come to understand how unbearably heavy they are.

    “He no longer allows himself to carry the stress and traumas of his past as he has come to understand how unbearably heavy they are.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Without positive spiritual coping mechanisms, people struggle to make sense of life and cope with trauma and loss, as seen in Joseph's experience.

    “Without them, people struggle to make sense of life and cope with trauma and loss, as we see in Joseph's experience.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Childhood trauma experiences are attributed to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as to dysfunctional family life and parental mental health problems.

    “Elsewhere, Melissa Balgobin (2021) writes that childhood trauma experiences are attributed to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as to dysfunctional family life and parental mental health problems.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Balgobin 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Positive coping mechanisms generally increase people's ability to heal from trauma, whereas negative coping mechanisms typically exacerbate posttraumatic distress.

    “The main difference is that, while exceptions exist, positive coping mechanisms generally increase people's ability to heal from trauma, whereas negative coping mechanisms typically exacerbate posttraumatic distress (Harper and Pargament 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harper and Pargament 2015 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Joseph, an incarcerated man in a northeastern state, experienced myriad traumas over his life and attained healing through spirituality.

    “This article examines the case study of Joseph, an incarcerated man in a northeastern state who experienced myriad traumas over the course of his life and attained healing through spirituality.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Joseph's retrospective account of his life experiences and spiritual states is sufficiently accurate to support the case study's claims.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Joseph's childhood abuse led to repeated traumatic separations and spiritual confusion after he entered the foster care system.

    “In childhood, he was subjected to physical, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, which led to repeated traumatic separations and spiritual confusion after he entered the foster care system.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Witnessing the deaths of his foster mother and biological father pushed Joseph beyond his threshold of tolerance, leading to the violent act for which he was imprisoned and to an experience of spiritually dying.

    “Witnessing the subsequent deaths of his foster mother and biological father pushed him beyond his threshold of tolerance, ultimately leading to the violent act for which he was imprisoned, as well as the experience of spiritually dying.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    This article is based on a single case study of Joseph, an incarcerated man, and is not representative of the experiences of all incarcerated people.

    “This article is based upon a single case study revolving around the specific themes highlighted in the life and experience of Joseph, an incarcerated man.As such, this article is not representative of the experiences of all incarcerated people.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The author has known Joseph throughout his incarceration, witnessed his journey, and Joseph was intimately involved in the presentation of his voice in the article.

    “The author has known Joseph throughout his incarceration, witnessed his journey, and is committed to representing his voice as clearly and accurately as possible.Joseph has been intimately involved in the presentation of his voice herein.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Spiritual coping mechanisms are generally delineated as either positive or negative.

    “Drawing again on the wisdom of Harper and Pargament (2015), spiritual coping mechanisms are generally delineated as either positive or negative.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harper and Pargament (2015) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Joseph was deeply wounded spiritually, and that damage manifested itself psychologically and behaviorally.

    “Joseph was deeply wounded spiritually, and that damage manifested itself psychologically and behaviorally.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A strict reading of the DSM-5 does not include child abuse as a trauma, while other authors do include it.

    “While a strict reading of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not include child abuse as a trauma, other authors rightfully do.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Through his father's arbitrary delivery of violence, Joseph lost any trust he once had in his father and in God.

    “Through this arbitrary delivery of violence, Joseph lost any trust he once had in his father and in God.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Joseph's case study is subject to the flaws inherent in trauma-affected memory, which is retrieved in fragments as perceived by a child and an adolescent and only gains clarity in adulthood.

    “Further, Joseph's case study is subject to the flaws inherent in trauma-affected memory, which is retrieved in fragments as perceived by a child and an adolescent, only gaining clarity in adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    One person's spiritual walk can directly impact another's, both in individual relationships and in how one relates to their community.

    “As Joseph would come to learn, one person's spiritual walk can directly impact another's.This is true for both individual relationships and how one relates to their community (Balgobin 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Balgobin 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    When a trauma is inflicted by one person upon another, the harmed person needs repair and healing; forgiveness is an avenue through which that person may resolve 'global and situational discrepancies' created by the trauma.

    “When a trauma is inflicted by one person upon another, the harmed person needs repair and healing; forgiveness is an avenue through which that person may resolve what Park et al. (2017) call “global and situational discrepancies” created by the trauma.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Park et al. (2017)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Witnessing the sequential deaths of his foster mother and biological father led to Joseph's state of spiritual confusion which resulted in him inflicting trauma on an innocent family through violence.

    “Witnessing the sequential deaths of his foster mother and biological father then led to Joseph's state of spiritual confusion which resulted in him inflicting trauma on an innocent family through violence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The interpersonal connectedness a person experiences and chooses to share can include family, friends, romantic partners, faith community members, or others.

    “The interpersonal connectedness a person experiences and chooses to share can include family, friends, romantic partners, faith community members, or others (Aldridge 1991).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Aldridge 1991

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Through experiencing forgiveness and devoting his life to service in this way, Joseph has attained meaning and healing in his life.

    “Through experiencing forgiveness and devoting his life to service in this way, Joseph has attained meaning and healing in his life.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Service work can also be viewed as worship to God.

    “According to Dill (2017), service work can also be viewed as worship to God.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dill (2017) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Negative spiritual coping is likely to lead to an increase in anxiety and has been shown to heighten depression, distress, and overall psychological burden in people experiencing stressful situations.

    “Not only is this negative coping likely to lead to an increase in anxiety, according to the research conducted by Ano and Vasconcelles (2005), it has also shown to heighten depression, distress, and overall psychological burden to people experiencing stressful situations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ano and Vasconcelles (2005) source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Joseph is able to stay focused on his spiritual destination by remaining faithful in his spiritual practice and keeping his feet firmly planted on his spiritual pathway of continued forgiveness and service.

    “Thus, Joseph is able to stay focused on his spiritual destination by remaining faithful in his spiritual practice and keeping his feet firmly planted on his spiritual pathway of continued forgiveness and service.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Joseph's spiritual healing came through continued service.

    “Thankfully, Joseph believes God intervened by providing him with a mentor who facilitated the processes of forgiveness and reconciliation between him and his foster brother-ultimately leading to Joseph's spiritual healing through continued service.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Joseph's inability to reconcile what he had done with who he thought himself to be while contemplating murder and the idea of being murdered in a prison environment was guiding him toward spiritual death.

    “Joseph's inability to reconcile what he had done with who he thought himself to be while contemplating murder and the idea of being murdered in a prison environment was guiding him toward spiritual death.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    As a spiritual destination, people may devote themselves to alleviating the suffering of others or to changing the legal system or the culture, the goal of which is to create sufficient meaning in their lives that they may arrive at a place of sustained healing and peace.

    “As a spiritual destination, Park et al. (2017) assert that people may devote themselves to alleviating the suffering of others or to changing the legal system or the culture, the goal of which is to create sufficient meaning in their lives that they may arrive at a place of sustained healing and peace.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Park et al. (2017)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Service can lead someone into the field of advocacy, activism, or to choose a career path of public service as a way to fulfill his or her perceived obligation to the betterment of mankind.

    “This could lead someone into the field of advocacy, activism, or to choose a career path of public service as a way, says Houston and Cartwright (2007), “to fulfill his or her perceived obligation to the betterment of mankind”.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Houston and Cartwright (2007) source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    In the wake of trauma, service to others may become sacred, thus qualifying that service as spirituality.

    “In the wake of trauma, service to others may become sacred, thus qualifying that service as spirituality.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Service may be a spiritual practice for some, a spiritual pathway for others, and a spiritual destination for still others.

    “Service may be a spiritual practice for some, a spiritual pathway for others, and a spiritual destination for still others.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Joseph's childhood was marred by physical, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, thus violating parental trust through spiritual violation.

    “Joseph's childhood was marred by physical, mental, and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, thus violating parental trust through spiritual violation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    Learning to forgive after experiencing repeated traumas can be an incredibly difficult task.

    “Yet, learning to forgive after experiencing repeated traumas can be an incredibly difficult task.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Once someone learns how to forgive a spiritual violation of trauma, they may then have skills and spiritual development that provide a firm foundation to support future forgiveness, which is highly correlated with posttraumatic growth.

    “Yet, once someone learns how to forgive a spiritual violation of trauma, they may then have skills and spiritual development (Park et al. 2017) that provide a firm foundation to support future forgiveness, which is highly correlated with posttraumatic growth (Shaw et al. 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Park et al. 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Shaw et al. 2005 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    According to Haney's 'prison politics', either Joseph had to kill David or vice versa; they could not both live in the same prison.

    “According to what Craig Haney (2001) calls “prison politics”, either Joseph had to kill David or vice versa; they could not both live in the same prison.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Craig Haney (2001)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Repeated forced separations while in foster care led to Joseph receiving a dual diagnosis of emotional detachment disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, effectively stripping him of the ability to rely upon the interpersonal spiritual support that could have greatly assisted him in building resilience and positive spiritual coping mechanisms.

    “Repeated forced separations while in foster care led to Joseph receiving a dual diagnosis of emotional detachment disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, effectively stripping him of the ability to rely upon the interpersonal spiritual support that could have greatly assisted him in building resilience and positive spiritual coping mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    As a practice, service may manifest as a person's (re)dedication to religious commitments or their pledge to be more devout in spiritual practices or disciplines.

    “As a practice, service may manifest as what Park et al. (2017) say is a person's (re)dedication to religious commitments or their pledge to be more devout in spiritual practices or disciplines.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Park et al. (2017)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

58 of 58

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Joseph's retrospective account of his life experiences and spiritual states is sufficiently accurate to support the case study's claims.

    “This article is based upon the case study of Joseph, an incarcerated man in a northeastern state who experienced myriad traumas over the course of his life and attained healing through spirituality.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The author's interpretation of Joseph's experiences through the trauma, spirituality, and healing framework accurately represents his experience.

    “The thematic focus of this article was to introduce the lived experience of an incarcerated person into the body of literature around trauma, spirituality, and trauma-healing.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Joseph's self-reported account of his life events, inner states, and spiritual experiences accurately represents what happened.

    “Joseph believes that God spared their lives, even though Joseph left them for dead as he fled from their home-without a dollar in his pocket.”
    “Joseph says God had other plans.”
3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Balgobin, Melissa (2021). The Role of Spiritual Well-being in the Psychological Well-being of Adults with History of Childhood Trauma. [Master’s thesis, Barry University].
  2. Llamas, April, and Larson, James Prioritizing restorative justice in United States prisons. Journal of Criminal Justice and Legal Issues, 1–26. Available online: https://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/162504.pdf.
  3. Zehr, Howard (2015). Changing Lenses: Restorative Justice for Our Times, Herald Press.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Hylton, L.
Affiliations
George Mason University (US)
Corresponding author
Hylton, Leo
ORCID
Hylton, Leo
Venue
Religions
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-03-05
Volume
13
Issue
3
Pages
222
ISSN
2077-1444 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/rel13030222
OpenAlex
W4220829822
Semantic Scholar
dd4fc4bc6ba23362edcb6b133dd21ea5f8385451
Cited by
2
References
15
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 1
FWCI
0.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Religions (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Contemporary Christian Leadership and Education
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
Keywords
childhood trauma, spirituality, healing, incarceration, foster care, forced separation, violence, prisoners

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-11-05.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-11-05.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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