SOP_NUMBER: 106.04
TITLE: Chaplaincy Services
REFERENCE_CODE: VA01-0004
DIVISION: Inmate Services Division
TOPIC_AREA: 106 Policy-Chaplaincy
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2017-10-27
WORD_COUNT: 1059
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/106454
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/106.04/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes the framework for providing chaplaincy and religious services to offenders in GDC facilities. It requires facilities to provide adequate space and equipment for religious programs, allows offenders to identify and change religious preferences, and mandates the provision of interfaith worship services including Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish services. The policy outlines the Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment's responsibility for coordinating religious programs and specifies chaplain duties including pastoral counseling, religious instruction, staff training, and volunteer coordination.

KEY_TOPICS: chaplaincy services, religious programs, worship services, chaplain, pastoral counseling, religious accommodations, interfaith services, Catholic services, Islamic services, Jewish services, religious literature, clergy volunteers, religious preferences, facility chapel, pre-release services

========================================================================
FULL TEXT:
========================================================================

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|
|**Policy Number:** 106.04|**Effective Date:** 10/27/2017|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**
The Chaplain’s office will establish worship and Chaplaincy Services in connection
with population needs. Georgia Department of Corrections Facilities shall provide
space and equipment adequate for conducting and for the administration of religious
programs. The Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment or Assistant Superintendent at
each facility is responsible for coordinating the agency's religious program and will
make available non-offender clerical staff capable of processing privileged
information.

**II.** **Authority:**
A. United States Constitution: First and Fourteenth Amendments;

B. Americans with Disabilities Act.

C. GDC Board Rules: 125-3-1-.01 thru 125-3-1-.03;

D. GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 106.05 New Offender Orientation

for Religious Programs and 106.11 Religious Accommodations; and

E.  ACA Standards: 2-CO-5E-02 and 4-4520.

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

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**
A. Facility Space and Administration of Religious Programs:


1. Facilities will provide space and equipment adequate for the conduct and

administration of all religious programs.

2. The Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment/Assistant Superintendent will be

responsible for coordinating the agency's religious program and will make
available non-offender clerical staff capable of processing privileged
information.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|
|**Policy Number:** 106.04|**Effective Date:** 10/27/2017|**Page Number:** 2 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



B. Identifying Religious Preferences:


1. Offenders shall identify religious preferences during the Diagnostic Intake

process.

2. Offenders may request to change their religious preference once every six (6)

months. To request a change, offenders shall complete a Request to
Designate/Change Religious Preference Form found in SOP 106.05, New
Offender Orientation for Religious Programs, Attachment 1, in the presence of
the Facility Chaplain (the form may be forwarded to the offender’s Counselor
when the Chaplain is not available).

3. Offenders that would like to change their religious designation more than once

in a six (6) month period, must submit a Religious Accommodations Request
pursuant to SOP 106.11, Religious Accommodations.

4. An offender under age eighteen (18) may select or change his or her religious

preference without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

C. Interfaith Worship:


1. General chapel worship services will be conducted weekly by the Chaplain(s)

or their designee. The following specific religious services will be provided as
needed:


a. A Roman Catholic priest will conduct Catholic services.


b. An Imam will conduct Islamic services.


c. A Jewish Rabbi will conduct Jewish services.


2. The Chaplain(s) will be aware of all other group needs. When a religious

leader of an offender's faith is not represented through the chaplaincy staff or
volunteers, the chaplain or designated staff member will assist the offender in
contacting a person who has the appropriate credentials from the faith
judicatory.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|
|**Policy Number:** 106.04|**Effective Date:** 10/27/2017|**Page Number:** 3 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|


D. Access to Worship:







1. Worship services will be available to offenders according to their management

level.

2. Opportunities for worship will be discussed in the new Offender Orientation

Program (see SOP 106.05, New Offender Orientation for Religious Programs).

3. Worship services will be announced on the public-address system of the

facility, where available, or through other appropriate means.


4. The needs of the facility to maintain order and security are taken into

consideration when planning program delivery, i.e. providing in cell worship
services and religious material.

5. Opportunities for participation in special rituals and services will be provided,

but must in requested in accordance with SOP 106.11, Religious
Accommodations.

6. GDC will ensure that all offenders, including juveniles, are not subjected to

coercion, harassment, or ridicule due to their religious affiliation.

E. Chaplain Responsibilities:


Chaplain(s) shall assume responsibility and accountability for the religious
programs and maintain close relationships with community religious resources
through the following means:


1. Coordinate all religious activities.


2. Conduct religious services on a weekly basis.


3. Provide requested pastoral counseling to offenders primarily and to staff as

appropriate.

4. Provide moral and religious instructions.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|
|**Policy Number:** 106.04|**Effective Date:** 10/27/2017|**Page Number:** 4 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



5. Provide and facilitate Pre-Service Orientation training in cooperation with the

Facility Training Officer for correctional staff regarding religious practices and
facility religious programming.

6. Provide training for all GDC staff during orientation on the main campus of

Tift College.

7. Facilitate and coordinate, as appropriate, Pre/Post-Release services/programs

(i.e. ministry, mentoring, housing, job referrals, substance abuse referrals,
educational referrals, governmental aid referrals) for offenders who meet the
criteria for such services through Chaplaincy and Aftercare.

8. Facilitate and coordinate recruitment, training, and certifying of both lay and

clergy volunteers from the various faith groups represented within the offender
population.

F. Religious Literature:


1. Offenders shall have access to approved religious publications.


2. The Chaplain(s) shall assist reviews of religious literature entering the facility

for general distribution to assure compliance with departmental publications
and regulations.


G. Activities of the Chaplain(s):


1. Chaplain(s) shall regularly visit living areas, training programs, medical

section, and isolation on a regular basis;

2. Chaplains shall describe the conditions and circumstances under which the

clergy’s privileged communications exist and when it does not exist in a
correctional setting;

3. Preparation and delivery of the sermon at the weekly worship service;


4. Plan and publicize religious activities and programs;


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|**Policy Name:**Chaplaincy Services|
|**Policy Number:** 106.04|**Effective Date:** 10/27/2017|**Page Number:** 5 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Inmate Services Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level II: Required Offender<br>Access|



5. Provide individual pastoral counseling;


6. Lead at least one offender growth group and more if possible;


7. Minister to staff as appropriate;


8. Initiate and cultivate teamwork with facility staff;


9. Enlist, train and supervise volunteers; and


10. Encourage marriage and family growth programs for offenders.

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

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