Laserfiche WebLink
Control Number: <br />403.02.01.001 <br />Version: <br />8.0 <br />Title: <br />Religious Activities <br /> <br />Page Number: <br />3 of 23 <br /> <br />Idaho Department of Correction <br />CRC Managers <br />The CRC managers are responsible for designating persons to serve on facility religious <br />activities oversight committee (RAOC). <br />Division VRC <br />The division VRC is responsible for: <br />• Developing and delivering training to religious volunteers <br />• Overseeing religious activities in facilities <br />• Developing and delivering training to facility VRCs and staff members <br />Facility VRC <br /> The Facility VRC is responsible for: <br />• Coordinating and overseeing religious activities in facilities <br />• Recruiting religious volunteers if the need arises <br />• Maintaining volunteer records <br />Facility Heads <br />Facility heads are responsible for: <br />• Implementing this SOP <br />• Ensuring that staff members adhere to the provisions provided herein <br />• Designating a pers on to serve as the facility VRC if no contract position exists <br />• Designating a religious activity oversight committee (RAOC) <br />STANDARD PROCEDURES <br />1. Introduction <br />The IDOC provides reasonable and equitable opportunities to inmates of all faiths to pursue <br />religious beliefs and activities, when those opportunities can be provided within budgetary <br />limitations and are consistent with the safe and orderly operation of a facility and its custody <br />level. <br />The IDOC does not interfere with an inmate’s religious belief. However, the IDOC has a <br />compelling government interest to maintain safety and security in its facilities. Therefore, the <br />IDOC may substantially burden an inmate's exercise of religion when the application of the <br />burden is based on a compelling IDOC interest and it is the least restrictive means of <br />furthering that interest. <br />2. Religious Volunteers <br />Religious volunteers conduct religious ceremonies and provide religious instruction and <br />spiritual guidance to inmates. Religious volunteers provide teaching, worship, and pastoral <br />care for the inmates in the facility in which they volunteer. For more information regarding <br />religious volunteers, see SOP 606.02.01.001, Volunteer Services in Correc tional Facilities .