Legal and Policy Foundation
GDC's religious services framework rests on the United States Constitution (First and Fourteenth Amendments), the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA, 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc), and the Americans with Disabilities Act. These authorities are cited in virtually every relevant SOP — including SOP 106.01, SOP 106.04, SOP 106.11, SOP 106.08, SOP 106.12, SOP 106.13, and SOP 409.04.28 — signaling the department's recognition that religious rights carry constitutional weight and federal statutory protection.
The overarching Board Rule, SOP 125-4-7-.01, mandates that "each institution shall provide assigned inmates with an opportunity to practice their religious faith on a regular basis" and that "inmates may not be required to attend Religious Services." Board Rule SOP 125-4-7-.02 specifies that where a chaplain is assigned, they report to both the Warden/Superintendent and the Director of Religious Therapy Programs; where no chaplain is assigned, the Warden or designee coordinates religious programs.
Chaplaincy Program: Purpose and Structure
SOP 106.01 (Purposes — Chaplaincy Program, effective 12/20/2024) establishes what the chaplaincy is expected to deliver: opportunities to practice faith individually and corporately, possession of authorized religious symbols purchased through approved vendors at the offender's expense, access to approved publications, observance of authorized religious diets and holy days, and clergy/spiritual advisor visits through established procedures. Resources among authorized faith groups "shall be distributed commensurate with their representation within the population," including use of space and equipment.
SOP 106.02 (Chaplaincy Services Objectives) elaborates the chaplain's operational responsibilities: providing worship opportunities, promoting spiritual growth, helping offenders develop social and ethical values, supervising volunteer programs, and acting as a liaison to community religious organizations and family. The chaplain is explicitly described as a bridge between incarceration and post-release reintegration.
SOP 106.04 (Chaplaincy Services) places administrative responsibility for religious programming with the Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment or Assistant Superintendent at each facility, who must make available "non-offender clerical staff capable of processing privileged information." Facilities are required to provide "space and equipment adequate for the conduct and administration of all religious programs."
Identifying and Changing Religious Preferences
Under SOP 106.04 and SOP 106.05 (New Offender Orientation for Religious Programs), offenders designate their religious preference during Diagnostic Intake by completing a Request to Designate/Change Religious Preference Form. SOP 106.05 notes explicitly: "Noting a religious preference on this form is for self-identification purposes only and does not bind the Department to accommodate any religious belief or practice, other than respecting the offender's right to believe as they choose. However, the Department may limit participation in religious gatherings, activities, and special religious accommodations to those offenders who designated their religion on the form and who demonstrate a sincerely held religious belief."
Offenders may request a preference change once every six (6) months. Additional changes within that window require a formal Religious Accommodations Request under SOP 106.11. This rule is stated identically in both SOP 106.04 and SOP 106.05, providing redundant citation options. Religious designations and accommodations must be documented in SCRIBE (SOP 106.05).
Offenders under age 18 may select or change their religious preference without parental or guardian consent (SOP 106.04).
Worship Services and Interfaith Access
SOP 106.04 requires weekly general chapel worship services conducted by the chaplain or designee. It specifically mandates that:
- A Roman Catholic priest conduct Catholic services;
- An Imam conduct Islamic services; and
- A Jewish Rabbi conduct Jewish services.
When a religious leader of an offender's faith is not represented through chaplaincy staff or volunteers, SOP 106.04 and SOP 106.11 both require the chaplain or designated staff to "assist the offender in contacting a person who has the appropriate credentials from the faith judicatory." That representative ministers under chaplain supervision. This obligation appears in both SOPs, reinforcing its importance.
Access to worship is management-level dependent (SOP 106.04). Services must be announced over the public-address system or by other appropriate means. GDC policy prohibits subjecting any offender, including juveniles, to "coercion, harassment, or ridicule due to their religious affiliation" (SOP 106.04).
Under SOP 106.11, offenders may pray individually or engage in individual religious practices in their assigned cells or by their assigned beds, subject to security and order. "Overt religious conduct that unduly imposes on other offenders is not allowed in the dorms or living units."
Islamic Guidelines
SOP 106.08 (Islamic [Muslim] Guidelines) provides detailed accommodation rules. Friday Jumah Prayer is described as "the essential prayer service for the Muslim... equivalent to Sunday Worship for the Christian" and should be held between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., lasting one to one-and-a-half hours, if operationally feasible. If an approved outside Imam is unavailable, a non-security or security staff member should be appointed to supervise. All practicing Muslim inmates should be allowed to attend.
Kufi prayer caps may be worn at any time if they are single-ply, white fabric, fit flush on the head, and do not present safety or security issues. Logos and embroidery must be white-on-white. Women of the Islamic faith should be allowed to cover their heads consistent with security regulations.
Prayer rugs (maximum 3' x 4') are authorized for personal possession; they may not be solid black or blue.
Ramadan fasting is recognized, with the policy noting it begins 9–11 days earlier each year on the solar calendar and lasts 29–30 days. SOP 106.08 requires modified meal timing to accommodate fasting requirements (the full text of the Ramadan meal accommodation section was truncated in the provided excerpt, but the structure is clear from policy headings).
Members of specified schools of thought or sects are entitled to arrange for one (1) minister of their choice to be placed on their visitation list for a pastoral visit (SOP 106.08). General Islamic worship services do not differentiate by denomination, consistent with how Protestant services are administered.
Native American and Wicca Guidelines
SOP 106.13 (Native American Guidelines) specifies approved paraphernalia: one medicine bag (not to exceed 2"×2"), a white cloth headband, feathers with closed shafts, one small shell (max 3" diameter), up to seven marble-sized sacred stones, and Native American books. Any unapproved items are contraband. Rituals and ceremonies are conducted individually in the cell or another approved location. Group religious study requires a community volunteer. Special day requests must be coordinated through the chaplain's office and require institutional review.
SOP 106.12 (Wicca [Witchcraft] Guidelines) authorizes: a Book of Shadows (handwritten or printed), other books on Wiccan history and ritual, one pack of 78 tarot cards (no violent or graphic sexual imagery), a photo or cardboard drawing of an athame (max 8.5"), and candles/incense for special days only (kept by the chaplain, not the offender). Rituals are conducted individually in the cell or approved location; group study requires a community volunteer. Use of religious practice to intimidate or threaten is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
Religious Dietary Accommodations
SOP 106.11 directs that the Department shall provide an "Alternative Entrée Program" (AEP) to meet religious dietary needs, governed by SOP 409.04.28. The AEP, per SOP 409.04.28, provides:
- A vegan packaged meal plan (animal product- and by-product-free), available at all GDC facilities; and
- An AEP Packaged Meal Plan that is both Kosher-certified and uses Halal-certified foods "when available."
Requests for the AEP Packaged Meal Plan must be submitted in writing, explaining specific beliefs and why the regular vegan plan is insufficient. Facility designees must review requests within two (2) business days. Approved requests proceed to the facility's Regional Director, then to the Director of Chaplaincy Services, who consults Legal Services, Facilities Division, and GCI Food Services. Offenders cannot participate until the full approval chain is complete.
For recognized religious celebrations requiring foods not available through the AEP, commissary, or package program, SOP 106.11 allows permission to purchase non-perishable religious food items from an approved vendor through a Special Religious Request procedure.
Communion Wine
SOP 106.10 (Communion Wine) treats communion wine as a controlled substance within the facility. Wine is permitted only for Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran services where doctrinal necessity is established. The Intinction Method (dipping bread in wine) is the required administration method for Episcopal and Lutheran services. For Roman Catholic services, the priest must consume or properly dispose of all excess wine and leave none available to offenders. Amount is limited to one to two ounces per service. The facility chaplain coordinates entry of wine, with advance warden approval. Records of receipts and disbursements are controlled as with any other controlled substance/drug. The chaplain may use supply funds to purchase wine, with prior approval, if a non-alcoholic alternative substitution cannot be negotiated.
Visiting Clergy and Religious Volunteers
Board Rule SOP 125-4-7-.03 authorizes outside clergy and guest speakers to conduct religious services with the Warden/Superintendent's concurrence. Invitations are issued by the chaplain or Warden's designee. Visiting clergy must confine activities to offenders who professed the faith prior to incarceration, but any offender may request a visit in writing regardless of prior faith; voluntary attendance at services is permitted. Visitors may not initiate conversion attempts with offenders of other faiths. All visiting clergy are subject to GDC rules and facility regulations.
SOP 106.11 requires chaplains to verify that visiting religious representatives are "in good standing with their religious faith group or denomination" and that they comply with SOP 109.01 (Local Management of Volunteer Services) as either Certified Volunteers or Visiting Volunteers. SOP 109.01 requires criminal background checks, PREA training acknowledgment, and formal application for Certified Volunteers. Visiting Volunteers (one-time visits) must execute a Waiver of Liability.
Chaplain Qualifications and Professional Development
SOP 106.06 (Professional Development) requires chaplains to meet minimum qualifications including: clinical pastoral education or equivalent specialized training, endorsement by the appropriate religious certifying body, and a demonstrated commitment to equal status and protection for all religions. New chaplains must complete Departmental Program Development Basic Training within the first six (6) months of employment. All chaplains must complete 40–80 hours of continuing education annually, with Warden/Superintendent approval required before attending outside training. Records of in-service training are maintained by the Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment, the Office of Professional Development, and the Director of Chaplaincy Services.
Reporting and Accountability
SOP 106.07 (Chaplaincy Report) requires chaplains to record daily activities in three categories — Worship Services, Religious Education/Pastoral Care, and Program activities — on monthly reports submitted to facility leadership and the State Director of Chaplaincy Services by the 5th of each month. Annual reports are submitted one month after the fiscal year ends. Records are retained for one year past the year of activities, then destroyed.
Faith and Character-Based Initiatives
SOP 503.01 (Faith and Character-Based Initiatives) establishes voluntary faith- and character-based dormitories (minimum 12-month programs) and designated facilities (minimum 24-month programs). These programs are described as "secular in nature" and designed to promote personal responsibility, moral development, and life skills. They rely on GDC staff, peer mentors, and community volunteers. Participation is voluntary and involves application and approval.
Employee Religious Holiday Leave
SOP 104.39.07 (Leave for a Religious Holiday) applies to GDC employees, not offenders. Employees may request priority consideration for up to three (3) workdays per calendar year to observe religious holidays not recognized as state holidays, with at least seven calendar days' advance notice. Requests can be denied only if the employee's duties are urgently required and they are the only available person, or if accommodation would cause undue hardship (requiring the Department Human Resources Director's approval). Paid leave is deducted from deferred holiday time, compensatory time, personal leave, or annual leave, in that order.