NCJ Number
45293
Date Published
1977
Length
40 pages
Annotation
THE APPROACH TAKEN BY THE CANADIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM TO ASSURING FREEDOM OF RELIGION FOR INMATES IS DISCUSSED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD MINIMUM RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH REFERENCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS RULES, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVES OF RELIGIONS WITHIN INSTITUTIONS, THE PROVISION OF REGULAR SERVICES AND PASTORAL VISITS, THE RIGHT OF PRISONERS TO OPT OUT OF SUCH VISITS, AND THE SATISFACTION OF A PRISONER'S RELIGIOUS LIFE. PROBLEMS IN DEFINING THE TERM 'RELIGION' ARE DISCUSSED. THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE CANADIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ARE REVIEWED: THE RIGHT TO ADHERE OR NOT TO ADHERE TO ANY RELIGION OR BELIEF AND TO REFUSE INSTRUCTION IN A RELIGION OR BELIEF; THE RIGHT TO CHANGE RELIGION OR BELIEF WITHOUT COERCION OR HARASSMENT; THE RIGHT TO REMEDIAL RELIEF AGAINST ANY DISCRIMINATION SUFFERED ON THE GROUNDS OF RELIGION OR BELIEF; THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, OR ORIGIN; THE RIGHT TO MANIFEST RELIGION OR BELIEF IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE; AND THE RIGHT TO OBSERVE THE RITES AND CUSTOMS OF RELIGIONS OR BELIEFS. OTHER ASPECTS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DISCUSSED INCLUDE: THE RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS OF THE SAME RELIGION OR BELIEF; THE RIGHT TO DECLINE TO TAKE A RELIGIOUS OATH; THE PARENTAL RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE RELIGION OR BELIEF IN WHICH A CHILD IS BROUGHT UP; THE RIGHT OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS TO FORM TERRITORIAL FEDERATIONS AND TO TRAIN MINISTERS AND TEACHERS; AND THE RIGHT OF THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE A RELIGION OR BELIEF. THE REPORT INCLUDES STATISTICS ON THE RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, AND MAJOR RELIGIOUS GROUPINGS, OF INMATES IN CANADA AS OF 1976.(LM)