Religious Services

The Provider must ensure that attendance at religious services is voluntary. No juvenile offender is required to attend religious services, and no juvenile offender may be penalized for not attending nor given privileges for certain attendance. The Provider's staff schedule must not encourage or discourage participation in general or specific religious services or activities. (3-31-22) 01. Voluntary Practice. All juvenile offenders must be provided the opportunity to voluntarily practice their respective religions in a manner and to the extent that will not compromise the safety, security, emotional, or physical well-being of the juvenile offenders in the program. (3-31-22) 02. Attendance. Juvenile offenders may be permitted to attend religious services of their choice in the community, as long as community safety is ensured. (3-31-22) 03. Transportation. Programs must, when reasonably possible, arrange transportation for those juvenile offenders who desire to take part in religious activities of their choice in the community. (3-31-22) 04. Risk to Community. If the juvenile offender cannot attend religious services in the community because staff has determined that the juvenile is an escape risk, or otherwise presents a risk to the safety of the community, the Provider must make reasonable efforts to ensure that the juvenile offender has the opportunity to participate in religious services of the juvenile's choice at the program. (3-31-22) 05. Visits. Juvenile offenders must be permitted to receive visits from representatives of their respective faiths. (3-31-22)