§ 803 - Exercise of religious beliefs - Vermont Statutes

§ 803. Exercise of religious beliefs

(a) An inmate at any correctional facility shall have the right of free exercise of his or her religious beliefs, and shall have the right to receive visitations from a clergyman or other representative of his or her faith in case of illness, provided that a request for the visitation is submitted to the supervising officer of the facility. An inmate shall not be ordered or compelled to participate in any religious activities.

(b) Such exercise of religious beliefs as is permitted by subsection (a) of this section may be restricted only upon a determination by the commissioner that the exercise would interfere unreasonably with the maintenance of discipline and security at the correctional facility.

(c) The supervising officer of any correctional facility shall have the authority to compensate any clergyman selected by him or her to conduct visitations and carry out other services at the facility. (Added 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 20.)