1. A. An incarcerated individual may voluntarily withdraw from participation in the RDP.

2. B. An incarcerated individual voluntarily withdrawing from the RDP, as soon as possible after deciding not to participate, shall notify the facility chaplain, in writing on a form approved by the Chief of Religious Services:

   1. (1) That the incarcerated individual is voluntarily withdrawing from the RDP; and
   2. (2) The reason for withdrawing from the RDP.

3. C. Upon receipt of notification under §B of this regulation, the facility chaplain, or a designee, shall meet with the incarcerated individual submitting the notification to advise the incarcerated individual that:

   1. (1) Once voluntarily removed from the RDP, except for provisions under §C(3) and (4) of this regulation, the incarcerated individual may not re-apply for RDP participation for 1 year from the date voluntary removal was accepted;
   2. (2) Except for provisions under §C(3) and (4) of this regulation, once an incarcerated individual has requested voluntary withdrawal from the RDP three times, the incarcerated individual may not re-apply for participation in the RDP until after 2 years from the date of the last voluntary withdrawal from the RDP; and
   3. (3) An incarcerated individual voluntarily withdrawing from the RDP may continue to participate in other faith group religious observances and ceremonial meals.

   4. (4) An incarcerated individual who has a medical condition that cannot be accommodated through reasonable modification may:

      1. (a) Voluntarily withdraw from the RDP; or
      2. (b) Immediately reapply to the RDP if the medical condition resolves.

4. D. A facility chaplain, or a designee, processing an incarcerated individual’s voluntary withdrawal from the RDP shall:

   1. (1) Record the approval on a form approved by the Chief of Religious Services;
   2. (2) Record the meeting and conditions of the incarcerated individual’s voluntary withdrawal discussed with the incarcerated individual as required under §C of this regulation on a form approved by the Chief of Religious Services;

   3. (3) Within 5 business days of the date the incarcerated individual’s voluntary withdrawal request is processed:

      1. (a) Notify the correctional dietary manager of the incarcerated individual’s withdrawal; and
      2. (b) Provide the correctional dietary manager with an updated list of RDP participants; and
   4. (4) Forward the completed forms recording the voluntary withdrawal to Case Management for inclusion in the incarcerated individual’s base file.

Authority: Correctional Services Article, §§2-109(c), 3-205, 4-208, and 5-201, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 12, 2018 (45:5 Md. R. 286)

Regulations .01—.11 repealed and Regulations .01—.11 adopted effective February 16, 2026 (53:3 Md. R. 122)