Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 240 - Department of Corrections › Chapter 10 - Inmate Life › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Religious Programs and Services (240-RICR-10-00-2) › Section 240-RICR-10-00-2.6 - Supervision of Inmate Religious Programs and Services

Current through June 14, 2024
A. It is the responsibility of the Assistant Director of Rehabilitative Services to coordinate and supervise all religious programs. All institutional chaplains responsible for any of the religious services and/or programs report to the Assistant Director of Rehabilitative Services or designee.
B. Inmate services and religious programs are scheduled, supervised, and directed by institutional chaplains in coordination with facility staff.
C. The services of an institutional chaplain are made available upon request at all institutions in accordance with this policy.
D. The institutional chaplains or designees are responsible for:
1. Scheduling, developing, coordinating, and implementing inmate religious programs and services provided by themselves or volunteers representing various religious faiths.
2. Establishing schedules, calendars, postings, or other methods of informing inmates and staff of existing and planned religious programs and services. Programs are planned in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Rehabilitative Services or designee.
3. Providing supervision of all religious programs, including but not limited to:
a. Recruiting, screening, and orienting prospective volunteers for religious programs and services;
b. Submitting the names of approved volunteers to the Internship/Volunteer Coordinator (Correctional Systems) to attend New Employee Orientation (NEO) at the Training Academy (see 1.05-1 DOC, Accountability and Procedures for the Utilization of Community Agencies; Employees of Outside Organizations; and/or Volunteers and 4.03-1 DOC, Orientation and Entrance Level Training for Non-Correctional Officer Employees, or successive policies);
c. Utilizing community religious volunteers.
4. Providing supervision to an inmate to whom the institutional chaplain has granted permission to deliver a sermon during a religious service. The institutional chaplain insures that:
a. The chaplain personally conducts the religious service;
b. The inmate delivering the sermon is allowed to attend religious services;
c. The inmate's religious affiliation is the same as that of the service during which he/she delivers the sermon and this affiliation is documented in INFACTS;
d. The inmate is knowledgeable about the subject of his/her sermon;
e. The inmate's sermon does not encourage racism, hatred, divisiveness, violence or threats to security;
f. A correctional officer is present when a Security Risk Group (SRG) Level I or II inmate delivers a sermon;
g. Inmates who wish to participate in the delivery of a sermon or other oration during a religious service have an equal opportunity to do so;
h. No one inmate is allowed to monopolize the sermon on a weekly basis; and
i. The name of the inmate who will be delivering the sermon is not posted on bulletin boards or advertised/broadcast in any way prior to the religious service.
j. Inmates who are allowed to deliver sermons are NOT considered or recognized as institutional chaplains or clergy. Staff may observe inmate sermons.
(1) Providing pastoral counseling and guidance to the inmate population and their families while they are in the institution and as they transition into the community.
(2) Providing religious services, programs, and activities in designated chapels to inmates who have access to those areas, and individualized services, programs and activities to inmates in segregated areas.
(3) Informing correctional staff of information regarding religious activities or practices that poses a risk or potential risk to the security and good order of the institution and/or risk of self injury or injury to others as said chaplains or designees become aware of this information.
(4) Working with the staff of the Assistant Director of Rehabilitative Services' office to develop resources and to provide advice on the expansion of religious programs.