The under represented Atheist prison population claim.

[Tiberius]

Ahh, misuse of statistics.

I'd bet heavily that a large percentage of the "no preference" group are non-believers (inc atheists, agnostics, etc), and "unknown" or "other" probably contain a few. These statistics rely on people being honest about their beliefs, and in a hostile environment like prison, I doubt that many people would openly admit to being non-believers.

Don't worry though, even in the worst case scenario, that creates about 16% of prisoners who are non-believers, which correlates with the amount of atheists in America (last I heard, it was around 16%...not the 1.6% you quoted).

Regardless, you've provided no evidence to back up your claim. The PDF appears to be homemade, and nothing official. The "press release" is not from an official website, and appears to be something that someone typed up in about 5 minutes.

*yawn*

I'll stop being skeptical when someone actually shows me the original documents...that's all I ask.

[Ashendant]

Ahh, misuse of statistics.

I'd bet heavily that a large percentage of the "no preference" group are non-believers (inc atheists, agnostics, etc), and "unknown" or "other" probably contain a few. These statistics rely on people being honest about their beliefs, and in a hostile environment like prison, I doubt that many people would openly admit to being non-believers.

Don't worry though, even in the worst case scenario, that creates about 16% of prisoners who are non-believers, which correlates with the amount of atheists in America (last I heard, it was around 16%...not the 1.6% you quoted).

Regardless, you've provided no evidence to back up your claim. The PDF appears to be homemade, and nothing official. The "press release" is not from an official website, and appears to be something that someone typed up in about 5 minutes.

*yawn*

I'll stop being skeptical when someone actually shows me the original documents...that's all I ask.

Non-preference might also be those that probably would not be well seen in the eyes of the general populace and decide to lie, like Islam and Scientology

[lilyannerose]

Seems to be some ifs, ands and buts on this topic.

Could it simply be that those who identify themselves as atheists, compared to non religious or non believer or whatever non belief title one may label one's self with tend to be a little better educated, making more money and having more leisure time to gain "self-awareness." It's hard to imagine someone busting their butts with a couple of jobs having the energy or the desire to decide what their religious affiliation or non affiliation may be. Further with more education and an implied better job with salary that the need for crime as a survival tool isn't present?

[Rhizomorph13]

The main thing that would factor into a prisoner's "decision" to "accept" religion into their life would be parole boards. They would most likely be populated by the religious. If it was me, I would say whatever it took to get the fuck out of prison! The second thing that would factor heavily into the "decision" would be the fact that many of the hardened cellmates might find it to be a good idea to harm me if I challenged their beliefs. Best not to stand out, so I would try to fit in by becoming, like, really churchy or whatever to fit in with the Aryan Brotherhood. I'm white so that would probably be the only choice for me.

[R-e-n-n-a-t]

Here's something to think about; do that many more Christians commit crimes, or do the people who commit crimes mostly convert to Christianity/other religion?

[technophobe]

In the U.S., the general attitude towards incarceration is penance or atonement and "salvation" is viewed as a major step forward towards personal reform. To proclaim an atheist attitude would in a sense, be tantamount to admitting incorrigibility to your captors. So I can see where it might make more sense to state that you have no religious preference rather than admit that you have no belief at all.