N.Y. Correction Law § 610: Freedom of worship

§ 610. Freedom of worship. 1. All persons who may have been or may

hereafter be committed to or taken charge of by any of the institutions

mentioned in this section, are hereby declared to be and entitled to the

free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without

discrimination or preference.

2. This section shall be deemed to apply to every incorporated or

unincorporated society for the reformation of its incarcerated

individuals, as well as houses of refuge, penitentiaries, protectories,

reformatories or other correctional institutions, continuing to receive

for its use, either public moneys, or a per capita sum from any

municipality for the support of incarcerated individuals.

3. The rules and regulations established for the government of the

institutions mentioned in this section shall recognize the right of the

incarcerated individuals to the free exercise of their religious belief,

and to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences,

including baptism by immersion, in accordance with the provisions of the

constitution; and shall allow religious services on Sunday and for

private ministration to the incarcerated individuals in such manner as

may best carry into effect the spirit and intent of this section and be

consistent with the proper discipline and management of the institution;

and the incarcerated individuals of such institutions shall be allowed

such religious services and spiritual advice and spiritual ministration

from some recognized clergyman of the denomination or church which said

incarcerated individuals may respectively prefer or to which they may

have belonged prior to their being confined in such institutions; but if

any of such incarcerated individuals shall be minors under the age of

sixteen years, then such services, advice and spiritual ministration

shall be allowed in accordance with the methods and rites of the

particular denomination or church which the parents or guardians of such

minors may select; such services to be held and such advice and

ministration to be given within the buildings or grounds, whenever

possible, where the incarcerated individuals are required by law to be

confined, in such manner and at such hours as will be in harmony, as

aforesaid, with the discipline and the rules and regulations of the

institution and secure to such incarcerated individuals free exercise of

their religious beliefs in accordance with the provisions of this

section. In case of a violation of any of the provisions of this section

any person feeling himself or herself aggrieved thereby may institute

proceedings in the supreme court of the district where such institution

is situated, which is hereby authorized and empowered to enforce the

provisions of this section.