The Implications for Inmate Rights of the Voluntary Provision of Religious Services

Throughout U.S. history, volunteers have had a persistent role in supporting the religious rights of prison inmates. In some states today, the only religious services available to inmates are provided by volunteers. The presence of volunteers inside prisons may potentially provide personal support to individuals in arguable need of ethical rehabilitation. However, because the provision of services is heavily reliant on the motivation of volunteers, the religious needs of inmates may not be met. The situation is compounded by America’s increasing cultural diversity. To understand the magnitude of the trend toward voluntarism and its implications for the religious rights of inmates, this article presents a framework for understanding the constitutional issues involved in using religious services volunteers and a description of the process whereby states have adapted to volunteer-driven programs. It concludes by offering secondary analysis of national data about some implications of volunteer use in religious services to inmates.