Section 425.90  Religious Items

a)         Committed persons may obtain religious symbols, clothing, and other items in accordance with this Part and Departmental Rules governing purchasing,  incoming mail, and personal property (see 20 Ill. Adm. Code 205, 525, and 535) or through the chaplain.

b)         Committed persons shall be permitted to have up to two traditionally accepted religious symbols or religious symbols which have been authorized by the Religious Practice Advisory Board and which represent their designated faith.   These may include but not be limited to medals, medallions, scapulas, or prayer beads.

c)         Religious items may be limited, restricted, or denied by the Chief Administrative Officer based upon concerns such as safety, security, rehabilitation, institutional order, space, resources, or facilitation of gang identification, recruitment, or activity.

1)         Certain items, such as candles and incense, shall be restricted by the Chief Administrative Officer or chaplain to use for religious activities only.  Such items shall be stored in a designated area of the facility and shall be available upon request for use during approved religious activities held in the chapel or other designated common area.

2)         Religious symbols shall not exceed two inches in height or width.  The chain upon which a medal or medallion is attached shall not exceed 24 inches in length.  The combined value of the medal or medallion and chain shall not exceed $50.

3)         The Department may restrict the color of religious items.

4)         Rosary beads shall be a solid color, either black, brown, or white, and shall not be permitted to be worn as jewelry.

5)         Medals or medallions shall not contain precious gems or stones.

6)         Medals or medallions shall not be of a design that could be used as a weapon or to conceal contraband.

7)         Religious symbols attached to pins shall not be permitted.

8)         Prayer rugs may be permitted if utilized as a component of the committed person's faith but will be limited to the immediate living area during prayer or the area of religious service.

d)         Committed persons may wear articles of religious clothing, including but not limited to robes, prayer shawls, or talits, only in their immediate sleeping areas during prayer or in the area of religious service if verification is submitted that the clothing is worn as a component of their religion.

e)         The wearing of religious headgear, including but not limited to fezzes, kufis, and yarmulkes, shall be limited only to the committed person's immediate sleeping area during prayer and to the area of religious service provided that verification is submitted that the wearing of the religious headgear is required by the committed person's designated faith.

(Source:  Added at 19 Ill. Reg. 6515, effective May 1, 1995)