Newsgroup: it.cultura.religioni
Titolo: [paganesimo] GB cultura laica, ora anche sacerdoti pagani x i fedeli in carcere (inglese)

Un'esempio da seguire, dopo l'esercito e la marina ora anche i carcerati 
Inglesi di fede pagana, potranno professare la propria fede anche in 
carcere.
Sicuramente si tratta dei wiccans che é la comunitá pagana piú numerosa in 
GB, ma non credo che discrimineranno anche gli altri rami.
The Times October 17, 2005
Wands and wine for imprisoned pagans
By Richard Ford, Home Correspondent
PAGAN priests will be allowed to use wine and wands during ceremonies in 
jails under instructions issued to every prison governor.
Inmates practising paganism will be allowed a hoodless robe, incense and a 
piece of religious jewellery among their personal possessions. They will 
also be allowed to have Tarot cards but are forbidden from using them to 
tell the fortunes of other prisoners.
The guidance, issued by Michael Spurr, the director of operations of the 
Prison Service, makes it clear that Skyclad (naked pagan worship) will not 
be permitted. Prison staff have been told that pagan artefacts should be 
treated with respect.
The formal guidance on paganism in prison is contained in a 14-page annexe 
to a Prison Service order on religion in jails. It was issued last month to 
governors, chaplains and race relations officers. Under sections ranging 
from the use of wine, dress and hygiene to festivals, marriage and death, 
governors are given a complete guide to paganism, based on information 
supplied by the Pagan Federation.
It is the latest faith guidance sent to governors to deal with an 
increasingly diverse prison population in England and Wales. Previous 
documents have included guidance on Buddhism, Sikhism and the Church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Governors are told that the main pagan festivals are at the time of a full 
moon, and seasonal celebrations such as the spring and autumn equinox, 
midsummer and Samhain, on October 31, the Celtic new year.
"Some Pagans like to celebrate Samhain with cider for the celebration of the 
apple harvest. In prison an apple can substitute for cider," the guidance 
says.
Prisoners will be allowed to practice paganism in their cells, including 
prayer, chanting and the reading of religious texts and rituals. The wearing 
of ritual jewellery must be risk-assessed by prison officers before the 
inmate is allowed to place it around the neck.
The guidance adds: "Washing prior to ritual is considered very important in 
some traditions. Where possible, prisoners should be permitted to shower 
prior to group worship."
In addition to a hoodless robe, prisoners can keep a flexible twig as a 
wand, a chalice and rune stones. The guidance makes clear that the hoodless 
robe can be used only during worship, and not by prisoners while on the 
wings.
The guidance highlights the part that wine plays in pagan rituals: "Some . . 
. will use water while other groups will use red wine. It is important that 
both variations be treated equally."
But wine must be ordered through the prison chaplaincy, stored securely and 
used only under supervision. "Individual consumption will be one sip only. 
As part of the ceremony, the pagan chaplain may also anoint the prisoners 
with wine on the forehead," the instruction says.
Prisoners will be permitted books of pagan writings, and the guidance 
specifies what staff should do in the event of a pagan marriage, to be 
performed by a pagan chaplain in addition to an office register ceremony, 
and a pagan death.
It is not known how many pagan prisoners are in jails in England and Wales.
PRISON FAITHS
Anglican 26,055
Free Church 1,418
Roman Catholic 12,750
Other Christian 2,239
Buddhist 947
Hindu 339
Jewish 184
Muslim 6,136
Sikh 490
Other non-Christian 207
No religion 22,584
Source: Prison Service. June 2003

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