Austria: Management of Religious Diversity in Prisons

Abstract

The management of religious diversity in correctional services in Austria is currently in the process of a complete overhaul and reorganisation. This chapter displays the current efforts as well as the first results of the development of a new national strategy concerning the management of religious diversity and prison chaplaincy within correctional services in Austria. For a better understanding of the current developments, the chapter starts with an overview of the legal regulations concerning individual freedom of worship and collective rights of religious communities for prison chaplaincy, the current status of religious diversity and the organisation of prison chaplaincy and religious counselling by the legally recognised churches and religious organisations in Austria. Finally, it shows the first results and conclusions of the national revision concerning the management of religious diversity within correctional services in Austria.