A.03 Religious And Spiritual Development (National Policy)

Authority for Policy

Corrections Act 2004, Sections 72, 79-81

Policy Standards

Adequate and appropriate provision is made for the various religious and spiritual needs of prisoners

Performance Standards

1. All prisoners have spiritual support available to them to address their spiritual needs.
2. Prisoners' religious and spiritual beliefs are respected.
3. Prisons take knowledgeable and qualified advice on the meaning of meeting prisoners' spiritual needs.
4. Prison policy and procedures reflect the spiritual and religious needs of prisoners. This includes allowing prisoners to consume a small quantity of wine, provided at the service by a prison chaplain or minister of religion for the purpose of the Eucharist, Holy Communion, Mass, or Communion with the express written authorisation of the Prison Manager at the prison or Chief Executive. The Chief Executive or Prison Manager may also authorise prisoners attending a non-Christian service to consume a small quantity of wine or other alcohol provided, for the purpose of religious ritual, by the person conducting the service. 
5. Resources are provided, where reasonable and practicable, to address the religious and spiritual needs of prisoners.
6. Appropriate spiritual and religious support is provided in times of crisis.
7. Sentence plans include meeting the spiritual needs of prisoners.
8. Maori prisoners have tangata whenua support available to them to address their spiritual needs.
9. Prisoners undergoing the penalty of forfeiture or postponement of privileges or cell confinement have access to religious and spiritual support.
10. Services maybe provided by, but not limited to, the Prison Chaplaincy, Kaitiaki or other providers or volunteers as appropriate.
11. Participation in religious and spiritual activity is voluntary, irrespective of prisoner’s status.
12. No prisoner may be required to receive a visit from a minister of religion if the prisoner objects to the visit.
13. Unless there is an emergency, no prisoner may be required to work on a certain day, if working on that day would be inconsistent with the prisoner’s genuine religious beliefs or practices.
14. As far as practicable in the circumstances, in providing food and drink to prisoners, allowance must be made for the various religious and spiritual needs of prisoners.