SOP_NUMBER: 106.01
TITLE: Purposes (Chaplaincy Program)
REFERENCE_CODE: VA01-0001
DIVISION: Inmate Services Division (Chaplaincy Services)
TOPIC_AREA: 106 Policy-Chaplaincy
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2024-12-20
WORD_COUNT: 531
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106451
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/106.01/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes the framework for Georgia Department of Corrections' Chaplaincy Program, which provides religious programming and spiritual support to offenders, staff, and community partnerships. It outlines offenders' rights to practice their faith individually and corporately, access religious materials and symbols, observe religious diets and holy days, and receive visits from clergy. The program also offers pastoral counseling and spiritual growth opportunities while maintaining facility security and safety.

KEY_TOPICS: chaplaincy program, religious programming, faith practice, pastoral care, spiritual counseling, religious volunteers, clergy visitation, religious diets, holy days, religious symbols, offender services, pastoral ministry, religious study groups, community partnerships, religious accommodation

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Purposes (Chaplaincy Program)|**Policy Name:**Purposes (Chaplaincy Program)|**Policy Name:**Purposes (Chaplaincy Program)|
|**Policy Number:** 106.01|**Effective Date:** 12/20/2024|**Page Number:** 1 of 2|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:**<br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Chaplaincy Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|


**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**







This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) sets out the guidelines for administering the
Chaplaincy Program and provides for religious programming for offenders, including:


A. Program coordination and supervision.

B. Opportunities to practice one's faith individually and corporately as authorized.

C. Possession of authorized religious symbols and/or items essential for faith practice

purchased through authorized vendors at the offender’s expense.

D. Access to religious program information.

E. Access to approved publications related to religious beliefs and practices.

F. The observance of authorized religious diets, holy day ceremonies, work

restrictions, and authorized communal sacramental rites (providing such rites do
not conflict with existing procedures/policies or jeopardize the security and orderly
running of the facility).

G. Distribution of resources among faith groups authorized to meet, commensurate

with their representation within the population, to include the use of religious
facilities and equipment accessibility by staff chaplains to all areas of the facility.

H. Visitation of clergy/spiritual advisor to occur through established visiting

procedures and use of community resources to include the use of religious
volunteers, consistent with the safety and security of the facility.

**II.** **Authority:**

A. United States Constitution, First and Fourteenth Amendment;

B. Americans with Disabilities Act;


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Purposes (Chaplaincy Program)|**Policy Name:**Purposes (Chaplaincy Program)|**Policy Name:**Purposes (Chaplaincy Program)|
|**Policy Number:** 106.01|**Effective Date:** 12/20/2024|**Page Number:** 2 of 2|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:**<br>Inmate Services Division<br>(Chaplaincy Services)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



C. Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Board Rule: 125-3-1-01;

D. GDC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): 227.05 Visitation of Offenders; and

E. ACA Standards: 2-CO-5E-01 and 5-ACI-7F-04.


**III.** **Definitions:** None.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

A. Services to Offenders: The purpose of the Chaplaincy Program is to minister to the

religious needs of the offender. Opportunities for spiritual growth are offered
through religious study group experiences and reality oriented individual
counseling and pastoral care groups. The counseling and care groups will address
issues related to family, financial, marital, parenting, and religious issues. These
programs are designed to enhance the dignity and worth of the individual and allow
offenders the opportunity to experience repentance, forgiveness, evaluation, and
possible modification of his/her value system to correspond to healthy spiritual and
societal standards. Offenders may have special visits with clergy per SOP 227.05,
Visitation of Offenders.

B. Services to Staff: Staff may be ministered to through the Chaplaincy Program, as

appropriate. The Chaplain may offer ministry such as: short-term individual and
family counseling, pastoral visitation and support during illnesses, and crisisoriented life events.

C. Liaison to Community: The Chaplaincy program may partner with the community

as appropriate. The Chaplain may offer ministries/programs soliciting support and
services in the community that will assist offenders both pre and post release.


**V.** **Attachments:** None.

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.