Order Ref: 4550 Introduction, Page


Religious Education Classes



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Religious Education Classes

1.32 The Chaplaincy Activity programme must be published and classes and courses specified in a Chaplaincy Business Plan agreed with the Governor.

In addition to the statutory services, provision should be made for religious education and nurture pertinent to all faiths in groups or classes for those prisoners who wish to attend.
1.33 The Governor should ensure that necessary staff and facilities be available for such agreed classes specified in the agreed Business Plan.

Young Offenders

1.34 Within the general programme for young offenders, Chaplains and Ministers should have the opportunity to lead groups on religious subjects and personal, social and relationship issues.



Juveniles

1.35. Chaplains and Ministers should have opportunities to contribute to the religious education of Juveniles.


1.36 Prisoners should be given every facility to participate in Seminars, discussions or meetings involving leadership from the outside community, and agreed by the Governor, Chaplaincy Headquarters or the Religious Consultative Services.

Pastoral Visits

1.37 Prisoners are entitled to special visits from their local clergy or religious leader.



  • One individual should be nominated, and security clearance obtained in each case.

  • Where there is uncertainty about the standing of any individual within their own faith, advice should be sought from Chaplaincy HQ or Religious Consultative Services.

  • Visits should be supervised to take account of the need for privacy and confidentiality.

  • Such visits should be in accordance with local procedures and at intervals deemed by all parties to be reasonable. In the event of disagreement, the Governor, in consultation with Chaplaincy HQ if necessary, will decide what is reasonable.



Religious Observance

1.38 The advice of Chaplains and Ministers, Prison Service Chaplaincy Headquarters and Religious Consultative Services where necessary should be sought in cases of dispute about religious observance.


1.39 When considering a change of religion, prisoners should be permitted to attend acts of worship for religions other than that to which they are registered, with the agreement of the appropriate Chaplains or Ministers, and having regard to specified issues of security.
1.40 Prisoners must not be required to do any non-essential work on days specified for their declared religion. Guidance about these days of special observation for each religion will be notified annually by Chaplaincy Headquarters or Prisoner Administration Group.
1.41 Prisoners must not be required to do such work as is unsuitable or offensive to their registered religion.
1.42 Any cases of alleged discrimination on grounds of a prisoner’s religion must be recorded in the Chaplains Journal as having been reported to the Governor for investigation. The Governor must record the decision made and any action to be taken. The prisoner(s) must be informed of the decision.

Diet, Dress and Religious Artefacts

1.43 Prisoners must have a diet which accords with the requirements of their religion as agreed between a relevant religious body and Prison Service Headquarters. Information on Veganism is included in Appendix 3. (Prisoners from some religious traditions or for reasons of personal choice may follow a vegan way of life.)


1.44 Prisoners must be allowed to wear dress and headgear which accords with the requirements of their religion as agreed between a relevant religious body and Prison Service Headquarters. Reference must also be made to the section of this Order regarding Security. If there is no agreement, the Governor should ensure that, subject to there being no threat to security or control, prisoners are not discriminated against unfairly.
1.45 Prisoners must be allowed in possession or access to such artefacts and texts as are required by their religion. Details of these are set out in subsequent annexes of this Order. A summary of the artifacts listed in the faith annexes is attached at Appendix 4.
1.46 Prisoners may have additional religious artefacts or texts not detailed in this Order if they are not deemed by the Governor, relevant Chaplain or Minister to be a threat to security or good order.


Visits by a Chaplain or Minister

1.47 Ministers and Chaplains must not visit a prisoner against the prisoner’s will, or subject the prisoner to unwanted or unsolicited persuasion to change religious affiliation. Ministers and Chaplains should adhere to guidance set out in training and appointment notes.


1.48 Where individuals are alleged to have made unsolicited visits, or attempted to persuade a prisoner to change their religious registration, such complaints are investigated in line with the PSO on Investigations and may lead to disciplinary action.

Appendix One


HMP/YOI……………………………………………………………………………...


NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE TO RELIGIOUS REGISTRATION

We are required to keep records of all requests to change religious registration.


Please fill in Section One and return it to the Chaplaincy. A copy of the form will be returned to you when the change of registration is completed.

Section One – about you
NAME ……………………………………….. PRISON NUMBER ………………….
UNIT/WING……………………………DAYTIME LOCATION …………………….
CURRENT RELIGIOUS REGISTRATION ………………………………………….

INTENDED RELIGIOUS REGISTRATION ………………………………………….


ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD: (Please continue on separate sheet if you wish)

Signed ………………………………………… Date…………………………



Section Two

Please return to Chaplaincy for amendment of Records/LIDS








Date

Signed

Print Name:

LIDS Amended:










2050 Amended:










Copy placed on 2050:










Copy placed on Chaplaincy File:










Copy (both sides of form) given to prisoner:










Copy given to Catering Dept (if relevant):










Copy to chaplain/minister of applicants present religion/denomination:










Copy to chaplain/minister of religion/denomination to which the applicant has changed:











Please See Over ®


HMP/YOI………………………………………………………………………………
CHANGING YOUR RELIGIOUS REGISTRATION



  1. You have the right to religious freedom and, where possible, to practise your religion with others who understand and respect it.




  1. Changing religion is a major decision. It may affect you, your family, and other relationships inside and outside. The prison therefore has a duty to ensure that no-one changes their religious registration under pressure.




  1. It is important to respect the views of the chaplain/minister whose faith group you wish to join. Most ministers would expect you to know something about their religion before you became a member. Some religions require you to take instruction and/or take part in an initiation ceremony before you become a member. Change of registration in itself does not make you a member of a particular faith group/church. You may receive a visit from the chaplain/minister of the religion in question to discuss your interest.




  1. If you wish to attend services/classes before you have applied to change registration, please let us know on a normal application form. Attendance will be at the discretion of the minister concerned.



Please See Over ®

Appendix Two




GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF MULTI-FAITH ROOMS

The Prison Service Standard on Religion requires places of worship to be provided for all faiths. Increasingly Chaplaincy teams have sought advice about the provision of multi-faith rooms. The Advisory Group on Religion in Prisons (chaired by the Director of Resettlement and comprising representatives of the main faiths and the Chaplaincy) has drawn up some pointers to getting it right. The key to this is to ensure early and full consultation with all the religious ministers who will be using the room.



General


  • There should be a determination from the outset that the multi-faith room should be worthy of its purpose as a sacred space.



Consultation


  • A meeting should be called of all those chaplains of various religions who are likely to use this room. They should be properly consulted about their requirements.



Location


  • Care should be taken about the location of the multi-faith room, eg it should be in an area of the prison that is quiet (this may not be a requirement for everyone but for some silent meditation is important). A room located on a busy corridor, next to the canteen, or beneath the room where the band practises is not a good idea. It needs also to be accessible.




  • Security should be consulted about the room in advance as there may be security issues to take into account.



Requirements





  • The size of the room should be adequate for the population requirements.




  • As well as being heated in winter, it should also be capable of being well ventilated.



Care of room


  • The multi faith room should be managed by a nominated member of the Chaplaincy team.




  • It should be cared for and cleaned by a prison orderly.



Facilities


  • It should be carpeted. A decent carpet is necessary, as in the practice of several of the World Faiths it is usual to sit on the floor. This should be kept clean for that purpose. A temporary floor covering (eg a dustsheet) may be provided which is used for prayers and on which shoes should not be worn.




  • Facilities to be made available should include a place or rack for shoes (part of the room may be designated as an area where shoes may be worn), cupboards for storage of artefacts and books (these to be discreet or outside the room).







  • The aim is to create an uncluttered, tidy and tasteful ambience.


Remember:


  • It is multi-faith. This means that a variety of faiths, of differing beliefs and practices and traditions will share the use of it and must be able to feel comfortable in doing so.




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