Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Corrections
Chapter DOC 379 - Living conditions for youth in Type 1 secured correctional facilities
Section DOC 379.11 - Religion

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code § DOC 379.11

Current through November 25, 2024

(1) RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICE.

(a) The department may not discriminate against a youth on the basis of the youth's religious beliefs. The superintendent may modify a youth's religious practices based on health and safety considerations, the security and order of the institution, the rehabilitation goals of the youth and fiscal and operational limitations.

(b) The department may not require a youth to participate in religious activities but may maintain information concerning a youth's religious activities for administrative purposes.

(c) To the extent reasonable, institutions shall make facilities and other resources available to youth for religious practices permitted under sub. (2).

(2) YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES.

(a) A youth who wants to participate in religious practices or request a change in religious programming, diet, special foods or authorized property that involves others or that affects the youth's appearance or institution routines shall submit a written request to the superintendent for permission to participate in the religious practice. The request shall include a statement that the youth professes or adheres to a particular religion and shall specify the practices and tenets of the religion in which the youth requests permission to participate.

(b) Upon receipt of the request the superintendent shall, with the assistance of a chaplain or staff with appropriate religious training, determine if the request is supported by tenets of the religion.

(c) In determining whether the request is supported by tenets of the religion the superintendent may consider any of the following:
1. Whether there is literature stating religious principles that support the belief.

2. Whether the beliefs are recognized by a group of persons who share common ethical, moral or intellectual views.

(d) The superintendent shall deny the request if the tenets of the religion or a reasonable variation of those tenets do not support the request.

(e) If the superintendent determines that the request is supported by tenets of the religion, the superintendent shall grant permission to participate in practices that are consistent with orderly confinement, security of the institution and fiscal, staff and space limitations.

(f) The superintendent shall establish written guidelines consistent with this section and institution security needs to govern youth participation in religious practices. The guidelines shall be made available to all youth.

(g) The superintendent shall require a youth to identify a religious preference, if any, to participate in religious activities. A youth may change this religious preference once every six months.

(3) RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND PRAYERS.

(a) Each superintendent shall, upon the recommendation of a chaplain or staff with appropriate religious training, coordinate religious programming to the extent possible at the times prescribed or encouraged by the youth's religion.

(b) The superintendent may, upon the recommendation of a chaplain or staff with appropriate religious training, permit representatives of approved religious groups from outside the institution to visit youth, hold services and provide counseling and services commonly provided by chaplains.

(4) RELIGIOUS PROPERTY. A superintendent may permit youth to possess approved religious property required by the youth's religion in accordance with sub. (2).

(5) DIETARY LAWS.

(a) To the extent possible, the institution shall plan meals so that youth may maintain a nutritious diet while complying with dietary restrictions prescribed by the youth's approved religion.

(b) An institution may accommodate youth requests for special foods for religious observances.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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