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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: The Czech Prison Service is running a project on prison staff enhancement. One part of the project focuses on communication with foreign inmates. The first seminar took place at the Prison Service Academy between 2 – 4 June 2020. A number of questions about Muslims in prisons raised but the University lecturers could not answer them. On behalf of the Academy Director, we would like to ask the EuroPris network to help answer these questions.
Yes
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Yes
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Yes. Once ordered by the Prison Medical Doctor
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Yes
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?No
It is not an obligation of the prisoner to tell us his/her religion. It is regulated as a right.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Yes. They right to follow one religion is regulated in our Law.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Yes. It is an obligation if it is related with religion or health.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Spaces are organised in such a way that the practice of different religions can take place.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?No.
On reception an individual's religion or belief is recorded on Prisoner Records should they wish to declare it at this time.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Yes. Prisoners are able to practice their religion or belief without discrimination against them or against prisoners of any religion or belief, or against those with no explicit beliefs. Prisoners have the opportunity to pray, to read religious texts, to meet other requirements of their religion such as diet, the use of appropriate clothing, items and materials, washing, and to be absented from work on agreed Days of Observance as their religion requires. Materials reasonably required for a prisoner to exercise their right to practice their religion or belief are permitted, except where there is a reason for these not being permitted as defined by Rule 44(3): •For the maintenance of good order and discipline within the Prison; •In the interests of the safety of any person within the Prison; •For the protection of the health of any person within the Prison. The Establishment understands the requirements associated with a prisoners religion, belief and practice, including holy days, hygiene, diet etc. In cases of minority religions or beliefs it may be necessary for a Governor to ascertain from the prisoner and in consultation with the local Chaplaincy Team or the Chaplaincy Advisors what their religion or belief involves.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Yes. Prisoners have the opportunity to choose a menu which is suitable to their traditional, religious or therapeutic needs. Separate menus will be written for any specialist diet i.e. Muslim, Sikh, Kosher, Chinese or medical requirement.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Yes. Every Prison has a recognised physical location where prisoners of the same religion may gather as a group to worship as their religion requires. Arrangements for communal worship are communicated clearly. Prisoners are able to meet the needs of their religious life or beliefs by attending the available services of their Faith provided in the Prison unless it is required to restrict these opportunities where it is necessary to do so: • For the maintenance of good order and discipline within the Prison; • In the interests of the safety of any person within the Prison; • For the protection of the health of any person within the Prison. Access to communal worship shall be arranged for those prisoners wishing to attend, the Prison ensuring sufficient availability of staff for escort and supervision. If necessary, additional measures must be put in place to ensure that all interested prisoners have the opportunity to participate in communal worship. Where a Prisoner is not in a position to attend communal worship, e.g. when located in the Separation & Re-Integration Unit (SRU) or on Suicide Protection measures, he or she is offered a visit from the Imam.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?No.
Yes, We are asking prisoner abot whitch religion they follow. It not mandatory and they can change their answer.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Yeas, we are allow Muslims to practice their religion.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Yes, we are offercng spesial diet to Muslims and Christians who practising fasting.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?In every prison ( 3 in Estonia) we have chapel. At chapel we perform ecumenical and over religions services. Also at chapels take place Muslims prayers and gatherings.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes, Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?There are not conflicts between Muslim and Non- Muslim.
No
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Muslims, like the general prison population, may practice their religion in prison during their spare time allocated in the daily schedule. It should be noted that the prison administration is obliged to ensure that the religious rites do not interrupt the inmates’ rest period.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Inmates’ catering is based on physiological dietary norms that comply, as much as possible, with their religious beliefs.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?No
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Based on group request and upon approval of the prison administration Muslim clergy may be invited to perform religious practices.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?No
Yes, the Austrian prison service asks every incoming prisoner which religion he*she is following.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Yes, the Austrian prison service allows Muslims to practice their religion.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Yes, the Austrian prison service offers special diet or ritual food as well.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?It depends on the rooms and accommodations of the 28 prisons in Austria; in some prisons there are multifunctional rooms that are also used for this purpose.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes, but the imam has to agree with a check about his respectability and the head of the Muslim community has to attest his integrity.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?Only in few situations religious ideologies are the trigger of conflicts. Most of the conflicts are based on politically different orientations.
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Yes - This is recorded on Committal Interview Prison Chaplains receive a report which contains the religion of prisoners Religion is indicated on the Cell Card on the door of prison cell in addition to the name of prisoner and prison ID
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?- Prison Chaplains are central to attending to the religious requirements of Muslims - Prison Chaplains liaise with local Muslim leader to assist contact between Mosque and Muslim prisoners - Prison Chaplains are proactive in responding to the needs of Muslim prisoners. - Congregational prayer arranged as required and as facilities and security permit - Spiritual Visits as requested by Muslim prisoners are facilitated as requested. - Provision is made for the following: Prayer Mats and/or suitable floor covering; Diet; Koran; Religious literature; times of prayers; direction of Mecca; - The date of Ramadan is communicated to Muslim prisoners - Prison Chaplains contact local Mosque prior to, during and at end of Ramadan - Soap and water provided for washing prior to prayer.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?The Irish Prison Rules 2007, 23 (2) outline the following: (2) Subject to the maintenance of good order and safe and secure custody, the Governor shall, in so far as is practicable in the performance of his or her functions under paragraph (1), ensure that provision shall be made to enable a prisoner to observe dietary practices of a religion or culture of which he or she professes to be a follower. The Catering Policy of the Irish Prison Service that 'Religious and dietary customs are respected and catered for'."
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Yes. Provision is made in each prison as required and as facilities and security permit.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes, individual spiritual visits and visits for congregational prayer are facilitated
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?There are no frequent conflicts based on religion.
when accommodated in a reception ward in prison, data related to the identity of the newly admitted persons collected, among which is their religion.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?In the places of imprisonment, access is provided to clergymen from the religious communities registered in Bulgaria. Prisoners are provided with the opportunity to meet their religious needs through participation in religious services.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Аt the request of Muslims deprived of their liberty, food which does not include products containing pork is provided to them.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Muslim prisoners are supported when performing their religious rites on the territory of the prisons and detention centers.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Muslim clerics carry out regular services, rites and religious visits, in groups or individually with prisoners of their religion at a time appropriate for this, in coordination with the prison administration.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?Conflicts motivated by religious intolerance are rare in places of detention. The work and efforts of the employees in these institutions are aimed at building attitudes and behavior of tolerance among the prisoners.
All prisoners are asked to state their religion at committal stage.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Muslims are allowed to practice their religion.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?If requested a special diet can be considered.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?There is a Muslim prayer room within one of NIPS three prisons; there is no Muslim specific prayer room in the other two establishments.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?A Muslim Chaplain covers all three prison establishments.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?There are not frequent conflicts based on Muslin and non-Muslin prisoners.
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Such an obligation is not provided for in any of Latvian legislation, but, when assessing initially the needs of a detainee in order to know whether a religion care shall be arranged for a prisoner, questions may be asked about the prisoner’s religious affiliation. In addition, the prisoner is informed of the arrangements for receiving religion care.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Prisoners are allowed to practice their religion without violating the regime requirements.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?The Latvian regulations governing the sentence execution provide prisoners with a possibility to have a special food, which is also adapted for those prisoners who practice one of the religions.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?In prisons, prisoners who wish to practice their religion are provided with a separate room.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?For the purpose of religion care of prisoners, chaplains working in prisons organize a meeting of prisoners with Muslim clergy.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?LPA has no information that the conflict between the prisoners was based on religious beliefs.
All prisoners are asked when they first arrive what religion, if any, they would like to be registered as. This is then confirmed when visited by the chaplain the following day.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?All prisoners have the right to practice their religion and prisons make reasonable arrangements to facilitate that. This is set out in Prison Service Instruction 05/2016 Faith and Pastoral Care of Prisoners.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Various religious diets (Halal, Kosher, etc.) as well as medical diets are available for prisoners as set out in PSI 05/2016.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?This will vary prison by prison based on the different availability of multi-faith and other group activity rooms.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Muslim chaplains are recruited and operate in most prisons in the same way as chaplains of other faiths, including providing a range of support for prisoners and staff as part of multi-faith chaplaincy teams.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?We do not hold data to be able to respond to this question.
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No
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Prisoners have the right to practice their religion during imprisonment.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?The majority of the inmates receive a fixed amount of money to shop their own food in the prison store, and they prepare the food themselves. In regards to the inmates, that do not have the opportunity to cook themselves, the prison takes religious conditions into account in regards to diet, when it is possible.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Most prisons have a room for church events and rooms that can be used for Muslim prayers.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?We can not comment on that. There has been no systematic registration or surveys on this topic.
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No.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Inmates can practice their religious activities (regardless of religion) in conditions of pre-trial detention and prison sentence execution, except for those that would not be possible to exercise due to a conflict with lawful restrictions on personal liberty or regime activities, during the free time.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?On the prescribed form, inmates can request the Prison Governor to provide meals taking into account cultural and religious traditions, and that by the exclusion of meat (meatless meals) or pork (pork-free meals).
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Each prison facility ensures conditions for provision of the spiritual and pastoral service (among other things, it also ensures suitable premises for spiritual and pastoral service) in the extent and under the conditions stipulated by the Act No. 308/1991 Coll. on Freedom of Religious Belief and Status of Churches and Religious Societies, as amended. That means that the prison facility creates conditions only for churches and religious societies which are registered in the Slovak Republic. As Islam is not currently a registered religion in Slovakia, premises in the prison facility, in order to exercise this religion, are not created.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?In accordance with the legal rules governing the conditions of pre-trial detention and prison sentence execution, the spiritual and pastoral service can be provided only by persons authorized by a state acknowledged church or religious society. So, the answer to the previous question applies also here - Islam is not currently a registered religion in Slovakia, so Muslim clergy cannot perform religious ceremonies in prison facilities. Muslim clergies can participate only as other civilians on a standard prison visit in the case of pre-trial detainee or in the case of a prisoner with the consent of the Prison Governor.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?No, currently we have no records on conflicts based on religious intolerance.
Yes. It is inquired and questions regarding practice of religion are answered by the prison chaplains or other contact person nominated for these purposes (if there is no full vacancy for prison chaplain in the prison). Because of our law we can’t write prisoner’s religion in their file in OMS (Offender Management System).
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Yes. They can pray, follow their diet, follow Ramadan and meet Muslim clergy on request. They can practice their religion in their cells, and some prisons have separate rooms that can be used for purposes of different religions that don’t use the usual Christian church in prisons.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Yes.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?A special room can be arranged in most prisons.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?No.
Inmates are not asked about their religion. The Spanish Constitution establishes that nobody can be forced to declare his/her faith or religion. Newly arrived inmates are informed about the availability of religious services in prison and if they wish, they apply in order follow the service of their choice.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Muslims, like inmates of other faiths, can practice their religion in prison within the limitations imposed by security and the normal prison regime. Inmates are entitled to several rights with regard to religion, the main ones are outlined as follows: • Right to receive religious support • Practice their religion individually in their cells • Take part in the collective religious services organised in their prison • Access to religious literature • Access to a diet that is in line with his/her religious believes • Wear elements related to their religious tradition as far as is compatible with the security measures in prison
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?As mentioned in question 2, inmates can request to be provided special diets meals in line with their region. When on religious grounds, inmates wish to fast, the schedules of meals in prison are adjusted for them so that they can eat when they are break the fast.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?Every prison decides the specific room or area where religious services and praying can take place, however, usually the room dedicated to religious services can also be used to other activities if it is available.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?In all Catalan prisons there is an imam that regularly visits the prison and offers religious support to Muslim inmates who require so. Moreover, any other inmate from any other religion can request religious support by the religious leader of his/her faith and these requests are meet as soon as possible.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?There have not been conflicts between inmates for religious reasons.
We do not ask direct questions concerning the religious denomination people adhere to. Such a question was considered contrary to the right to private life protected by Article 8 ECHR. In accordance with the Basic Law on the Prison Service and the Legal Status of Prisoners, the prisoner shall declare his intention to take part in worship or related activities to the chaplain or counsellor concerned.
Do you allow Muslims to practice their religion (lead their lives according to their religion) in prison?Yes, prisoners have the right to live and practise their (recognised) religion or philosophy of life individually and in community with others, while respecting the rights of others. To this end, they have the right to receive religious, spiritual or moral assistance from a representative of their religion or philosophy of life who has been appointed by or admitted to the prison for this purpose. For example, we have imams working in our Belgian prisons. So on the one hand, prisoners have the opportunity to live their religion individually; they can receive a daily visit in prison from the representative of their religion or philosophy of life. On the other hand, prisoners may participate in the practice of worship and the related communal activities.
Do you offer special diet if they ask for it?Yes, prisoners have the right to live and practise their (recognised) religion or philosophy of life individually and in community with others, while respecting the rights of others. To this end, they have the right to receive religious, spiritual or moral assistance from a representative of their religion or philosophy of life who has been appointed by or admitted to the prison for this purpose. For example, we have imams working in our Belgian prisons. So on the one hand, prisoners have the opportunity to live their religion individually; they can receive a daily visit in prison from the representative of their religion or philosophy of life. On the other hand, prisoners may participate in the practice of worship and the related communal activities.
Is there a special room, a mosque, for them to pray in each prison?In according to the Basic Law, there is a polyvalent room in every prison suited for practising recognised religions. In addition, representatives of religions have an appropriate area at their disposal where they can meet detainees in a confidential atmosphere and they can visit those detainees who have asked for it in their room of residence.
Are Muslim clergy allowed to meet prisoners?Yes they are. See questions 2 and 4.
Are there frequent conflicts based on Muslim and Non-Muslim religions between prisoners?Not that we are aware of.