The Freedom of Religion for Institutionalized Persons Project has many
organizations committed to being partners in the Prisoners Rights Program
(PRP). One of the major goals of this project is to increase awareness
and education regarding freedom of religious choice for incarcerated individuals.
These organizations include
Fellowship of the Earth., 2 National Religious rights organizations,
Alternative religious resource groups, representatives from various Pagan
affiliations, as well as supportive businesses throughout the country.
These groups are committed to actively respond to inquries and requests originated by incarcerated individuals, which are seeking spiritual resources not currently offered or recognized by their respective facilities. These groups will focus on spiritual, legal and networking resouces in the PRP. The groups will be provided with curriculum regarding program assessment, facilitation, and outcome, developed and presented by a coordinated effort between FOTE, and advisors from affiliated project partners .
Through the Prisoners Rights Program, we will be incorporated into other
appropriate programs which promote education and awareness of First Amendment
Rights, and the implementation of program objectives as outlined
by cirriculum guidelines. The groups will take an active role in learning
about and participating in the religious rights and subsequent needs required
to fufill the spiritual choice made by incarcerated persons. The collaboration
of the groups will form an integral part in the implementation of civil
liberties assistance. They will offer services to confined individuals
of State and local institutional facilities that include:
The following is a list of the partners in the Freedom of Religion Prisonsers Rights Project:
[Your name or organization here]
End proposal thus far
This is all I have so far, and would like your input and suggestions
as to how to adapt this or incorporate these ideas into programs that are
already underway. I invite those groups or individuals who have or are
interested in Pagan prison ministry and religious rights for incarcerated
persons consider adding your name and commitment to the Prisoners Rights
Project. I beleive we can create a foundation from those who are willing
to lend thier time and expertise to the project.
It is primarily a centralized organization that can manage inquiries
of prison ministry programs for Pagans and other Earth Religions and direct
traffic of correspondence based on need and geography. Networking current
active prison ministry programs and facilitators and gathering information
through cooperative research about institution policies and proceedures
in accordance with their religious programs and services. I am hoping with
your help we can facilitate this growing need of spiritual advisors and
contact for those of the Pagan path. Another aspect of the program I wish
to see accomplished is informational packets, workshops, videos, etc. for
the staff and administration of these institutions. I feel it's important
that we approach this avenue to incorporate understanding and education
for the staff as well as the inmates. Another goal for this program
would be to create a guideline or handbook outlining all the basics, and
how prisoners can practice their Pagan spirituality without fear or cause
for disruption of any of the facilities policies or proceedures in regards
to religious practice. The handbook which I envision incorporating much
from the U.S. Army Chaplain's Handbook, and also citing relgious rights
cases in favor of Pagan prisoner's right to worship. It woudl also include
contact information for other Pagan affiliated groups who promote religious
rights and prison ministries. A reccomended reading list, and other useful
references would also be included.
E-mail me with your comments, ideas, suggestions or advice. I will continue to press on with my own research and development of this project.
e-mail: fote@partytown.com