Vermont Statutes Annotated

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 28, § 803 (2026)

Exercise of religious beliefs

✓ current as of May 2026

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Subchapter 003 : CARE OF INMATES

(Cite as: 28 V.S.A. § 803)

§ 803. Exercise of religious beliefs

(a) An inmate at any correctional facility shall have the right of free exercise of his or her religious beliefs, and shall have the right to receive visitations from a clergyperson or other representative of his or her faith in case of illness, provided that a request for the visitation is submitted to the supervising officer of the facility. An inmate shall not be ordered or compelled to participate in any religious activities.

(b) Such exercise of religious beliefs as is permitted by subsection (a) of this section may be restricted only upon a determination by the Commissioner that the exercise would interfere unreasonably with the maintenance of discipline and security at the correctional facility.

(c) The supervising officer of any correctional facility shall have the authority to compensate any clergyperson selected by him or her to conduct visitations and carry out other services at the facility. (Added 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 20.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2010–2023 · leading case: Barron v. Menard (Vt. Super. Ct. 2017).

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Barron v. Menard (Vt. Super. Ct. 2017). · cites it 4× “3, and 28 V.S.A. § 803, and that each defendant has qualified immunity.”

White v. Core Civic Corp. (N.D. Miss. 2023). · cites it 2× “The plaintiff’s claims against defendant Hawkins for violation of the right to the free exercise of religion, equal protection of the laws, Chapter One, Article 3 of the Vermont Constitution (religious freedom provisions), Chapter One, Article 7 of the Vermont Constitution…”

Gundlah v. Pallito (Vt. Super. Ct. 2010). “§§ 2000cc-1–2000cc-5, and 28 V.S.A. § 803 (exercise of religious beliefs).”

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