VR Committee clarifies the procedure for access of priests to convicts

Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement activity gave clarifications on the changes to activities of priests-chaplains in prisons, reports the Institute for Religious Freedom.

The clarification of the Committee explained that "Persons taken into custody have the right to receive visits from priests (chaplains), authorized religious organizations, statutes (regulations) which are registered in accordance with the law, to meet their religious needs, without limiting the number of visits in free from performing investigative time. The powers of the clergy (chaplains) are confirmed by official request to the administration of a religious organization. The administration of the institution helps to ensure the confidentiality of meetings."

As recalled in the document, Part 6, Article 12, of the Law of Ukraine "On Pre-trial Detention" established that persons taken into custody are entitled to an unlimited number of meetings with priests. Meetings should be held in private, in their free from investigation time.

With regard to the establishment of the time of the pastoral activities, administration of penal institutions and clerics must act in concert, fulfilling the requirements of Ukrainian legislation.

It is to be recalled that in May 2015 the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law on the activities of the priests, chaplains in the organs and institutions of the penitentiary system to implement the pastoral care among those arrested and convicted. These legislative changes have provided the right of persons taken into custody at a meeting with the clergy (chaplains) and defended the secrecy of confession.

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