22 AAC 05.550. Religious activities

(a) The facility may provide chaplains to assist those prisoners who express an interest in religious beliefs and principles. Chaplains may provide individual or group counseling to prisoners. Facilities need not provide identical facilities or personnel to every religious group or sect, irrespective of size. Provision for places of worship and counseling with religious representatives must be responsive to the need, except that each prisoner must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to pursue his or her recognized faith.

(b) Participation in religious services conducted at the facility is voluntary.

(c) Religious activities may be proscribed or limited if the superintendent determines that restriction of the activity is justified in light of, and is reasonably related to, a substantial facility interest in maintaining security and discipline. Using these principles, the superintendent may regulate the following activities:

(1) participating in or assembling for religious services;

(2) receiving visits from ministers or religious representatives;

(3) abiding by the dietary laws of a religion; and

(4) wearing religious clothing, medallions, or other insignia.

History: Eff. 9/10/77, Register 63; am 1/9/87, Register 101

Authority: AS 33.30.011

AS 33.30.021

AS 44.28.030

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