SOP 106.13: Native American Guidelines
Summary
This policy provides guidance to Georgia Department of Corrections facilities regarding approved religious paraphernalia and authorized religious practices for Native American inmates and detainees. It specifies which religious items (such as medicine bags, feathers, shells, and sacred stones) are permitted, establishes restrictions on their size and appearance, and outlines how Native American religious practices and ceremonies may be conducted within facilities. The policy ensures that religious freedom is protected while maintaining security and safety standards.
Key Topics
- Native American religious practices
- medicine bag
- feathers
- sacred stones
- religious paraphernalia
- Native American ceremonies
- religious freedom
- RLUIPA
- chaplaincy services
- inmate religion
- First Amendment rights
- spiritual practices
- religious accommodation
- security searches
- religious study groups
- Native American inmates
Full Text
|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area: `
`Programs/Chaplaincy`|`Reference Number: `
`VA01-0013`|`Revises`
`Previous`
`Effective Date:`
`7/15/2010`|
|`Subject:`
`Native American Guidelines`|
|
|
|`Authority:`
`Owens/Smith`|`Effective Date:`
`10/01/2012`|`Page``1`` of`
`3 `|
I. POLICY:
To provide guidance regarding approved religious paraphernalia
and authorized practices.
II. APPLICABILITY:
All State facilities and Centers.
III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:
A. United States Constitution, First and Fourteenth
Amendments.
B. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of
2000 (RLUIPA), 42 USC Section 2000cc et seq.
C. ACA Standards for Adult Facilities 3rd Edition.
D. Americans with Disabilities Act.
IV. DEFINITIONS:
NONE.
V. ATTACHMENTS:
NONE.
VI. PROCEDURE:
A. Approved Religious Paraphernalia:
1. Medicine Bag: May possess one medicine bag and the
size should not exceed 2 inches by 2 inches. It’s
content are subject to routine security searches. An
inmate/detainee will make these items available, as
|Functional Area:
Programs/Chaplaincy|Prev. Eff. Date:
7/15/10|Page 2 of
3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`Programs/Chaplaincy`|`Effective Date:`
`10/01/2012`|`Reference Number:`
`VA01-0013`|
is the case of personal property. Contents are to be
treated with professional respect.
2. Headband: Must be made of cloth and solid color
white only. It can be worn at any time as long is it
does not present any safety or security issues. The
headband must cover no more of the inmate’s head
than is covered by a standard detail cap. Logos and
embroidery must be white so the appearance is white
on white.
3. Feather: Feathers must have a closed shaft and must
not be the size and kind that could be used as a
weapon. May be kept in Medicine bag.
4. One Small Shell: Any open, shallow type, no bigger
than 3 inches in diameter. Small one may be kept in
Medicine bag.
5. Sacred Stones: Limited to 7 marble sized pebbles.
6. Native American Books: For teaching and learning.
B. The items approved for use by a Native American inmate
are to be treated with professional respect, but are
subject to routine searches. An inmate will make these
items available as in the case with all other personal
property. Any Native American items other than those
specifically approved in this procedure will be
considered contraband and handled accordingly.
C. Approved Practices:
1. Any rituals/ceremonies will be handled individually
in the inmate’s/detainee’s cell or other approved
location within the facility using only the
religious paraphernalia authorized in this
procedure.
2. Meetings for religious study may be handled through
special “ministerial” visits or through group study,
provided a Community Volunteer is available.
3. A Native American inmate will not attempt to use
his/her religious practice in order to intimidate or
|Functional Area:
Programs/Chaplaincy|Prev. Eff. Date:
7/15/10|Page 3 of
3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`Programs/Chaplaincy`|`Effective Date:`
`10/01/2012`|`Reference Number:`
`VA01-0013`|
threaten another inmate or staff member. Such behavior may result in disciplinary action. 4. Any special requests related to the observance of special days should be coordinated through the Chaplain's office and will require institutional/center review and approval. Questions concerning the appropriateness of any inmate’s/detainee’s request should be directed to the Director of Chapalincy. 5. It may be necessary to revise this procedure as the need arises. Should you have questions or need clarification about the various aspects of the Native American, please direct your inquiries to the Director of Chaplaincy.