Pagan Prisoners Allowed Perks

New guidelines have been introduced to accommodate the increasing number of pagan inmates, permitting items such as wands, tarot cards, and altars in prison cells.

At the turn of the millennium, there were 79 pagans in prisons across England and Wales, a number that has now risen to 1,172, making paganism the fourth most prevalent religion among incarcerated individuals, after Christians (37,601), Muslims (14,991), and Buddhists (1,643).

This growth has been linked by academics to the sense of community and belonging that paganism offers in the challenging prison environment, as well as its associations with certain ideologies.

Reflecting broader societal trends, where the number of pagans in the UK increased from 57,000 in 2011 to 74,000 in 2021 according to census data, the new prison guidance covers all religions represented in prisons, from Zoroastrianism to Humanism. It specifies the artifacts allowed for pagan inmates and outlines how these should be managed.

While most pagans wear regular clothing for worship, specific traditions may involve special attire such as hoodless robes. However, the guidance explicitly prohibits "Skyclad" (naked) worship within prison premises.

Tarot cards, used by some pagans for meditation and guidance, may be permitted under the supervision of the prison's pagan chaplain, subject to a local risk assessment. Altars, described as a "desk, small table, box, or similar," are allowed at the discretion of local authorities, provided space permits.

Pagans are also permitted to possess items like a "flexible twig for a wand," rune stones, pendulums, crystals, a chalice, and religious jewelry such as pentagram necklaces or rings. However, the wearing of such jewelry must undergo a standard risk assessment, as removing items of personal significance may cause considerable distress.

Six pagans from Peterborough women's prison articulated the benefits of their faith in a letter to the prisoners' newspaper, Inside Time, stating, "Popular belief is that Paganism is a dark religion, however this could not be further from the truth. We believe in kindness towards others, whilst loving and forgiving ourselves first and foremost. It is through strength that our spirituality can prosper."

In the UK, pagans constitute 0.1% of the total population, with prisoners being ten times more likely to identify as pagan compared to the general public. While data on major religions among prisoners is routinely published by the Ministry of Justice, paganism and Rastafarianism have been historically excluded.

The guidance also acknowledges various sub-groups within paganism, including Druids, Odinists, Shamans, and Wiccans (witchcraft). It highlights key pagan festivals such as Midsummer (June 21), Yule (December 21), and Samhain (October 31). A pagan faith adviser to the HM Prison and Probation Service emphasized the efforts of the Pagan Federation in advocating for the religious freedoms of pagan prisoners without prejudice.

Additionally, Rastafari has been added to the list of recognized faiths in the updated guidance.

The Johnson Partnership

Derby Crime Solicitors 

01332 370 473