Opinion ID: 741863
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Religious Accommodation Program at Woodbourne

Text: 4 Because Jackson-Bey challenges the actions of prison officials in implementing the policy for accommodating the religious beliefs of inmates at Woodbourne, a brief review of that policy is necessary. 5 The official policy is codified in Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) Directive No. 4202, applicable to prison facilities throughout New York. That directive designates the Senior Chaplain to serve as the principal advisor to Woodbourne's superintendent on religious activities; the Senior Chaplain is responsible for planning the prison's religious program, including gauging the religious needs of the inmate population and identifying resources necessary for the conduct of the religious program. Religious Programs & Practices, DOCS Directive No. 4202(B) dated Nov. 26, 1982. Defendants claim that [w]hen certification through a Chaplain indicates a clearly defined ecclesiastical requirement, adjustments or accommodations can be made to departmental policy in limited ways. Defs.' Resp. to Pl.'s First Set of Admis., Sept. 12, 1995 (No. 95 Civ. 2349(CSH)). In an effort to meet the religious needs of the inmate population, the directives provide for accommodations to allow inmates to gather for the purposes of religious study and for the observation of religious days of celebration and Sabbaths. DOCS Directive No. 4202(C), (D), & (E). In addition, Woodbourne procedures allow inmates to wear religious medals, head coverings, and special garments. DOCS Directive No. 4202(J); Religious Head Coverings, Mem. dated Aug. 8, 1990. 6 Not all religious needs can be accommodated at Woodbourne consistent with penological requirements, however, and DOCS Directive No. 4202 spells out certain aspects of the prison's religious program, including some limitations to the exercise of religious freedom by inmates. 7 Because of staffing, space, and security considerations, it may be necessary to restrict the attendance of inmates at religious activities as follows: 8 1. Participation in a religious celebration, service, or study group by an inmate is voluntary. 9 2. An inmate may attend only the religious programs of his designated religion as noted in facility records. 10 3. Inmates who desire to learn about the religious practices of another faith may do so after consultation with the Senior Chaplain who will determine when their attendance can be accommodated at a service or study session. 11 4. After consultation with his spiritual advisor and the Senior Chaplain, an inmate may change his religious affiliation. The Senior Chaplain will make the necessary changes in facility records. 12 DOCS Directive No. 4202(F). In addition, [i]nmates are not allowed to wear garb of religions not their own. Defs.' Resp. to Pl.'s Second Set of Interrogs., Sept. 12, 1995 (No. 95 Civ. 2349(CSH)). 13 Central to this case is the registration requirement referred to in subparagraphs 2 and 4 of DOCS Directive No. 4202(F) above. As described in the affidavit of Woodbourne's Senior Chaplain, Reverend Randolph Fields, the registration procedure provides that a prisoner may identify his religious affiliation on his initial intake records. Aff. of Rev. Randolph Fields dated Jan. 23, 1996 (No. 95 Civ. 2349(CSH)) (Fields Aff.). At any time thereafter, a prisoner may change his registered religion by completing a one-page form in the presence of a prison chaplain. Id. That form requires an inmate to fill in his name, the religion to which he wishes to change his religious preference, and the religion with which he was previously affiliated. Id. 14 Also significant in this action is DOCS Directive No. 4901 which codifies DOCS's policy on the attire an inmate must wear on funeral visits. Defendants have not provided a copy of DOCS Directive No. 4901 for the record. However, defendants' response to Jackson-Bey's interrogatory requests contained the unopposed assertion that the directive provides that all inmates are required to wear state-issued civilian clothing to funeral services. Neither plaintiff nor defendants have pointed to any DOCS directive that allows an inmate to bring special religious garments to a funeral. However, defendants admit that where an inmate's religion, as registered with Woodbourne, prescribes special funeral garments, they will allow the inmate to wear those garments. Defs.' Resp. to Pl.'s Second Set of Interrogs., Sept. 12, 1995 (No. 95 Civ. 2349(CSH)) (stating that inmate Muhammed Abdul Jabbar, a registered Muslim, was allowed to bring to and use garments at his daughter's funeral). 15