Religious Rights In Prison

[nailit]

Who decides what is...and what isn't....a religion in UK prisons?
Obviously beliefs like catholocism, islam, Cof E etc are recognised and inmates allowed to practice, but what about an inmate who may be a druid, satanist or wiccan?
How is religious belief 'defined' when it comes to the right of an imate to practice his/her belief while behind bars?
Thanks

[douglas9401]

God knows, nailit.

[scorpiojo]

:)

[THECORBYLOON]

Is this linked to your not having a TV licence?

[Buenchico]

Many branches of paganism (e.g.Druidry, Odinism, Wicca and Shamanism) are already recognised by HM Prison Service, as is Rastafari, spiritualism, Zoroastrianism and many other faiths. See https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/offenders/psipso/psi-2016/psi-05-2016-faith-and-pastoral-care-for-prisoners.doc

Any other declared faiths would need to be handled in accordance with the general principles of the same document.

[nailit]

//Is this linked to your not having a TV licence? //
Eh? Are you drunk or something?
Do you imagine that Im a satanist or something thats worried about going to prison for not having a tv licence (when I dont own a tv) and then worrying about whether Ill be able to sacrifice a cockrel because im banged up?

[Mamyalynne]

They weren't keen on a few Jedi in 2014.


http://tinyurl.com/kefw3yd

[nailit]

Thanks Chris but seem to open that link.

[Buenchico]

That link goes to .doc file, Nailit (not to a web page).

If you're having problems opening it, RIGHT-click on the link and select 'Save Link As' (or 'Save Target As' or whatever else your browser calls it) and save the file to somewhere convenient on your computer. (e.g. 'Desktop', 'My Documents', 'Downloads' or wherever else you like).

Then go to the file and double-click on it to open it with your default word processor. (Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer or whatever else you use).

[trt]

Prisoners shouldn't have any rights at all, whether its for religion, a TV in their cell, and should eat what they are given, or starve.

Try a stint in Brazilian prison, lucky you might come out alive!

[nailit]

Thanks Chris, might have to leave that until tomorrow when im a bit more clear headed. Still trying to work out how to switch my lappy off and on again ;-)

[nailit]

//Prisoners shouldn't have any rights at all//
Very informed opinion, thank you for that huge contribution and rest assured, you have answered my question in full...

[nailit]

mama, sorry, missed your post. Thats exactly what I mean. Who says what is and what is not permissable as a religious belief.

[EDDIE51]

trt, As I and others have pointed out many times at least 30% and possibly over 40% of all prisoners are suffering from mental health problems and should never have been in prison at all. Your post is to say the least unduly harsh.

[EDDIE51]

nalit, I did hear of an attempt to introduce a new religion that as part of its ritual required the consumption of steak and alcohol ! The prison service were not having it though!

[Mamyalynne]

These people mentioned in my link seem to have some part to play in what would be considered.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-offender-management-service

[trt]

The only way the Justice Secretary is going shake-up of prisons to help cut this £15bn cost of re offending, is to make sure their sentence for their first offence is dealt with harshly, and stop all this suspended sentences, and community service crap, which half dont turn up, costing us more to find out why.

[RATTER15]

What about Pastafarianism?

[trt]

## What about Pastafarianism? ##

Is that an Italian dish?