Czech Republic: Religious Assistance in Prisons in the Past and Today

Abstract

The activities of religious communities in prison facilities within the Czech territory were renewed in 1990, after 40 years of absence during communist rule. The relationship between religion and prison is regulated by provisions in constitutional law, international agreements that bind the Czech Republic, other domestic laws, ministerial orders and internal norms of the Prison Service of the Czech Republic (the state institution for the administration of prison and similar facilities). Important instruments have taken the form of agreements on spiritual services in prisons between the Prison Service of the Czech Republic, the Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic and the Czech Bishops’ Conference. Four of these agreements have been signed, the last one in 2013. Spiritual care in prisons is provided by prison chaplains, who are employees of the Prison Service of the Czech Republic. The chaplains are members of one of 11 religious communities, which recommend them for work in all prison facilities in the Czech Republic. The prison chaplaincy also cooperates with Prison Spiritual Care, a civil association registered under civil law, which also sends volunteers to prison facilities, with the permission of the administration, to provide spiritual care, including counselling inmates. This association represents Christians of almost all denominations in the Czech Republic, whether registered or non-registered.