Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 103 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION › Title 103 CMR 471.00 - Religious Programs And Services › Section 471.07 - Supervision of Inmate Religious Programs and Services

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
General
. Inmate
			 services and religious programs shall be planned, supervised and directed,
			 including the approval and training of both lay and clergy volunteers from
			 faiths represented by the inmate population, by Institution Chaplains or by the
			 Superintendent's designee, as appropriate.
(2)
Institution
			 Chaplain
. The services of an Institution Chaplain shall be made
			 available upon request at all institutions, depending upon need. The Chaplain
			 shall work under the direction of the Director of Program Services or designee,
			 with onsite supervision provided by the Superintendent's designee. The
			 Institution Chaplain shall also develop and maintain relationships with
			 community religious groups and resources for the purpose of making referrals
			 for inmate reentry planning purposes.
(3)
Selection and Hiring of
			 Chaplains
. Selection and hiring of Chaplains shall be in
			 accordance with 103 DOC 201:
Selection and Hiring
. The
			 interview panel shall also include the Director of Program Services or
			 designee, and the Director of Treatment or the Superintendent's designee at the
			 institution where the vacancy exists.
(4)
Ecclesiastical
			 Endorsement
. A Jewish Chaplain shall have the endorsement of a
			 rabbinical chaplaincy commission. A Catholic Chaplain shall have the
			 endorsement of the local Archbishop. A Protestant Chaplain shall have the
			 endorsement of his or her local church and the appropriate ecclesiastical
			 authority. A Muslim Chaplain shall have the endorsement of the Imam of the
			 Muslin Chaplain's local Masjid.
(5)
Duties and Responsibilities
. The Institution Chaplain
			 shall have physical access to all areas of the institution and be responsible
			 for:
(a) Planning, developing, coordinating
			 and implementing inmate religious programs and services.
(b) Completing special activity and program
			 applications for all religious programming with the exception of pure worship
			 services.
(c) Establishing
			 schedules, calendars, postings or other methods of informing inmates and staff
			 of existing and planned religious programs and services. Programs shall be
			 planned in conjunction with the Superintendent's designee.
(d) Providing supervision to all religious
			 programs including, but not limited to:
1.
			 Recruiting, screening and orienting prospective volunteers for religious
			 programs and services;
2. Utilizing
			 volunteer chaplains;
3. Approval
			 and training of both lay and clergy volunteers from faiths represented by the
			 inmate population.
(e)
			 Providing pastoral counseling and guidance to the inmate population.
(f) Consulting with and advising professional
			 staff on religious/spiritual issues associated with the inmate
			 population.
(g) Submitting an
			 annual budget request to the Superintendent or designee.
(h) Working with the Director of Program
			 Services to develop resources and to expand and/or improve religious services.
(i) Attending Chaplain meetings
			 and professional training as developed by the Director of Program Services.
(j) Attending professional
			 training, seminars, or retreats mandated by the religious group with which the
			 Chaplain is affiliated, approved by the Director of Program Services.
(k) Assisting inmates in the
			 development of reentry plans to meet their religious and spiritual needs. When
			 specific referrals are made, they shall be documented in the designated IMS
			 reentry screens.
(l) Providing
			 direct or indirect religious services for inmates incarcerated at the
			 Institution Chaplain's assigned facility. Once an inmate is transferred or
			 released, the Institution Chaplain shall discontinue services.
(m) Developing and implementing family
			 reunification activities to foster communitysupport and strengthen inmate
			 reentry. Obtaining the written authorization of the Superintendent or designee
			 prior to contacting an inmate's family members.
(n) Developing and maintaining relationships
			 with community religious groups and resources for the purpose of inmate reentry
			 planning.