PART 6

RELIGION

Practising religion or belief within prison
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1
Subject to the provisions of the Act, these Rules and any direction made under these Rules, every prisoner is entitled to—
a
observe the requirements and engage in the practices of their religion or belief;
b
possess religious books, items and materials for their own personal use which are appropriate to their religion or belief;
c
attend religious services or meetings arranged by members of the chaplaincy team; and
d
make a request to the Governor to see, or to speak to, an appropriate member of the chaplaincy team.
2
The Governor must—
a
inform every prisoner of the facilities or arrangements which exist or may be made for the purposes of this rule;
b
provide such literature and other materials as the Governor considers appropriate for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) and (b); and
c
as soon as practicable after a request made by a prisoner under paragraph (1)(d), notify the appropriate member of the chaplaincy team of the prisoner’s request.
3
The Governor may prevent a prisoner from attending a religious service or meeting arranged by the chaplaincy team if the Governor considers it is necessary to do so—
a
for the maintenance of good order and discipline within the prison;
b
in the interests of the safety of any person within the prison; or
c
for the protection of the health of any person within the prison.
4
Any visit to a prisoner by a member of the chaplaincy team must be held outwith the sight and hearing of an officer except where—
a
the member or prisoner concerned requests otherwise; or
b
the Governor considers it would be prejudicial to the interests of security or safety for an officer not to be present.