A. Policy.
- (1) It is the policy of the Institution that an inmate shall have absolute freedom of religious belief.
- (2) Within security and program limitations, the Director shall ensure that each inmate has reasonable opportunity to exercise his or her religious beliefs.
- (3) The Director shall ensure that each religion receives equal status and protection.
- B. A chaplaincy service, in conjunction with other Institution programs and activities, presents the opportunity for an inmate to make incarceration a productive period of personal change and growth.
- C. Inmate participation in religious programming is voluntary.
- D. The Director shall ensure that religious services are conducted by chaplains or approved volunteer clergy and are available to the general inmate population.
- E. Religious activities are subject to supervision by Institution security staff.
F. Abstention from Offered Food Items.
- (1) An inmate shall be permitted to abstain from regularly offered food items that the inmate believes to be prohibited by the inmate's religion.
- (2) A 7-day menu shall be posted on each side of the food serving line in a menu box with a glass front. Pork items shall be marked by an asterisk. Foods which are a nutritionally equivalent substitute shall be provided on the food line for inmates who require a pork-free diet.
- G. Ceremonial Food Packages. When consistent with the operational capabilities of the Institution, food packages of a ceremonial nature shall be admitted during religious holidays. These packages shall be provided free of charge to the Institution in a factory-sealed container, and shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Director.
Authority: Correctional Services Article, §4-208, Annotated Code of Maryland
Effective date: February 3, 1992 (19:2 Md. R. 155)
Regulation .07 amended effective April 11, 2016 (43:7 Md. R. 451)