SOP 106.11: Religious Accommodations

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|
|Policy Number: 106.11
|Effective Date:05/21/2025|Page Number:1 of 6|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Chaplaincy)|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access|

I. Introduction and Summary:

The purpose of this policy is to describe guidelines pertaining to religious
accommodations and special religious requests and provides for religious
programming for offenders/juveniles/residents, including program coordination and
supervision.

II. Authority:

A. United States Constitution, First and Fourteenth Amendments;

B. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA), 42 USC

§ 2000 cc., et seq.;

C. Holt v. Hobbs, 135 U.S. 853 (2015);

D. Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Standard Operating Procedures
# ( SOPs): 106.04, Chaplaincy Services; 106.08, Islamic (Muslim)

Guidelines;106.12, Wicca (Witchcraft) Guidelines; 106.13, Native American
Guidelines; 206.01, Offender Personal Property Standards; 109.11, Local
Management of Volunteer Services; 227.06, Offender Receipt of Mail; 228.02,
Facility/Center Barber/Cosmetology Shops, and 409.04.28, Alternative Entrée
Program; and

E. ACA Standards: 2-CO-5E-01; 4-4514; 4-4517; 4-4519; 4-ALDF-4A-10; 4-ALDF
5A-01; 4-ALDF-5C-17; 4-ALDF-5C-18; 4-ALDF-5C-24; 4-ACRS-4A-03; 4ACRS-5A-22; 4-ALDF 5C-20; 4-ALDF-5C-21; 4-ALDF-5C-22; 4-ALDF-5C23, and 4- ALDF-5C-24.

III. Definitions: None.

IV. Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:

A. Religious Accommodations: The Department allows religious paraphernalia and

practices that are specifically permitted by policy. Additional religious
accommodation guidelines are as follows:

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|
|Policy Number: 106.11
|Effective Date:05/21/2025|Page Number:2 of 6|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Chaplaincy)|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access|

1. Worship: Chaplaincy shall provide worship services in accordance with

SOP 106.04, Chaplaincy Services and as provided in other SOPs, including
106.08, Islamic Guidelines, 106.12, Wicca Guidelines and 106.13, Native
American Guidelines. Subject to the facility’s interests in maintaining security
and order, offenders may pray individually or engage individually in religious
practices in their assigned cells or by their assigned beds. Offenders should be
considerate of how their prayer or religious practice might interfere with other
offenders in their living area. Overt religious conduct that unduly imposes on
other offenders is not allowed in the dorms or living units.

B. Religious Representatives:

1. Chaplains are provided at each state facility and are granted access to all areas

of the facility. Each chaplain is responsible for their facility’s overall religious
program, including supervising and conducting or coordinating all religious
programs in accordance with policy. Chaplains serve the entire population, not
only offenders of that chaplain’s religious affiliation or denomination. When a
religious leader of an offender's faith is not represented through the chaplaincy
staff or volunteers, the chaplain or designated staff member assists the offender
in contacting a person who has the appropriate credentials from the faith
judicatory. That representative ministers to the offender under the supervision
of the chaplain. The distribution of resources among faith groups authorized to
meet shall be commensurate with their representation within the population.
This includes the use of space and equipment.

a. Chaplains ensure that all offenders are permitted access to pastoral visits

and allowed access to religious services. Chaplains will verify that visiting
religious representatives are in good standing with their religious faith
group or denomination and are bona-fide religious representatives or
clergy. Visiting religious representatives also shall comply with the
requirements of SOP 109.01 to be recognized as Certified Volunteers or
Visiting Volunteers.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|
|Policy Number: 106.11
|Effective Date:05/21/2025|Page Number:3 of 6|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Chaplaincy)|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access|

C. Diet:

1. The Department shall provide an “Alternative Entrée Program” as set forth

in SOP 409.04.28 to meet the religious dietary needs of offenders.

a. In the event foods not available from the Alternative Entrée Program,

commissary or package program are required for a recognized religious
celebration, permission to purchase non-perishable religious food items
from an approved vendor may be requested and approved through the
Special Religious Request procedure. The total weight of food items
purchased each quarter for such religious celebrations shall not exceed what
is allowed for delivery in the inmate package program each quarter. No
perishable food items may be ordered, and quantities ordered may be limited
for security and/or sanitation reasons.

b. Certified Volunteers or Visiting Volunteers who are religious

representatives and/or clergy representing faiths or denominations that
mandate the observance of special meals at regular, recognized times
during the year may provide approved meals to all members of their faith
at one or more prisons subject to the approval of the Warden or
Superintendent at each such facility.

D. Literature: Offenders may only possess approved religious publications, and such

publications must also conform to the guidelines of SOP 206.01, Offender
Personal Property Standards. Any exceptions to these guidelines shall be requested
through the Special Religious Request procedure.

1. Personal Grooming: Any special religious grooming requests beyond the

requirements of SOP 228.02, Facility/Center Barber/Cosmetology Shops shall
be requested through the Special Religious Request procedure. In all cases, it
shall be the offender’s responsibility to specify all religious requirements that
necessitate special consideration.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|
|Policy Number: 106.11
|Effective Date:05/21/2025|Page Number:4 of 6|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Chaplaincy)|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access|

2. Religious Medallions: Religious medallions, symbols and paraphernalia shall

comply with SOP 206.01, Offender Personal Property Standards. Special
requests for unusual items that do not fit the guidelines of SOP 206.01,
Offender Personal Property Standards shall be requested through the Special
Religious Request procedure.

3. Anointing Oils:

a. Religious representatives and clergy whose denomination or faith requires

the use of anointing oils during services or pastoral visits shall obtain
approval from the facility chaplain and warden prior to bringing such
substances into a facility.

b. Offenders may purchase anointing oils through the facility commissary or

directly from an approved vendor. Oils purchased by offenders shall not
exceed 6.5 ounces. No “homemade” derivatives sent from anyone other
than a vendor shall be allowed. Oils purchased by offenders shall be
alcohol free and non-flammable. Offenders must turn in used bottles before
placing a subsequent order or making another commissary purchase of oils.
Misuse of anointing oils may be grounds for confiscation thereof, future
denial of purchase, and/or a disciplinary report.

c. Approved anointing oils purchased by the offenders may be stored in their

assigned locker box in the cell.

E. Special Religious Requests:

1. Least Restrictive Means. The Department endeavors to accommodate all

special religious requests. The Department will apply the least restrictive
means approach when evaluating a special religious request that is considered
to create a security issue, conflict with current policy or that may cause a
disruption in the normal operation of the facility. A least restrictive
means approach looks for accommodations or alternatives instead of
complete bans.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|
|Policy Number: 106.11
|Effective Date:05/21/2025|Page Number:5 of 6|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Chaplaincy)|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access|

2. Approval Process. Offenders seeking an accommodation not already approved

by the Department may submit a Special Religious Request using Attachment
1, Special Religious Requests. The offender shall obtain the Special Religious
Request form from their assigned Counselor. The offender shall complete the
form in full and submit it to the Counselor, who shall immediately issue the
offender a receipt and enter the request into SCRIBE in the Accommodations
tab for review by the Facility Chaplain, Warden, Director of Field Operations,
Director of Chaplaincy Services and the General Counsel (or their designees).
The Facility Chaplain shall make a recommendation for approval or
disapproval of the Special Religious Request based solely upon whether the
offender has updated his or her Religious Preferences as provided in SOP
106.04, Chaplaincy Services. The offender may submit such an update in
conjunction with the submission of a Special Religious Request. The review
conducted by the Warden and Director of Field Operations shall be based upon
the security needs of the facility, the security risk posed by the offender, and
the overall security needs of the GDC. The review conducted by the Director
of Chaplaincy Services shall be based upon the prevailing understanding of the
religious tenants of the beliefs espoused by the offender. The review conducted
by the General Counsel shall be to ensure consistency, continuity and
Constitutional compliance. In the event of a lack of unanimity on whether or
not the request should be approved, the Director of Field Operations, Director
of Chaplaincy Services and General Counsel (or their designees) may meet as
a panel to review the request and issue a decision. The request will be approved
or fail based upon a majority vote of the three. Once a decision is issued, the
offender shall be notified by the Facility Chaplain or the Chief Counselor if the
facility does not have a Chaplain. The review process shall be completed not
more than thirty (30) days from the date the counselor receives the original
request. The deadline set forth herein may be extended for good cause, which
shall include, but not be limited to special religious requests seeking the
purchase of an item not available from a vendor already authorized pursuant
Paragraph (IV)(3)(b), _supra_ . Offenders seeking an item from a new or
alternative vendor must provide contact information for a representative of the
vendor who will serve as the point of contact for vetting of its operation and/or
the product sought.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|Policy Name:Religious Accommodations|
|Policy Number: 106.11
|Effective Date:05/21/2025|Page Number:6 of 6|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Chaplaincy)|Access Listing:
Level II: Required Offender
Access|

3. Religious Paraphernalia. Religious paraphernalia may be requested and

approved through the Special Religious Request procedure. Offenders are
responsible for purchasing, at their own expense and through a friend or family
member approved to provide financial support on their visitation list, any items
approved through the Special Religious Request procedure. If the offender has
no friends or family approved to provide financial support, then the offender may
arrange for payment pursuant to SOP 406.19. These items shall be purchased
through an approved vendor and the items will be inspected, after purchase, to
ensure that it meets all security requirements.

4. Donations. Outside faith groups, community members, volunteers, religious

service Providers and approved vendors may donate approved sacred objects
or other religious items for either individual or communal use, provided these
donations are approved by the Warden or Superintendent and do not
jeopardize. the security of the facility. Donations of these items may not be
earmarked for individual offenders. All religious items are subject to security
search and may be kept by the Facility Chaplain or Security Staff when not in
use.

V. Attachments:

Attachment 1: Special Religious Request

VI. Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:

Upon completion, Attachment 1 shall be maintained in the offender’s institutional
file and retained according to the retention schedule for that file.