US · guidance
BOP Program Statement 3939.08 § 6
DUTIES AND WORK SCHEDULES OF CHAPLAINS
In order to meet the religious accommodations of inmates, Chaplains work evenings and
weekends. Ordinarily, Chaplains are required to work two evenings. However, Chaplains will
not be expected to routinely work more than three evenings per week. Ordinarily, evening hour
programs will start at 6 pm and will be extended until the institution’s final recall of inmates.
In accordance with religious obligations associated with Chaplains’ endorsement, Chaplains
lead religious worship services regularly, facilitate seasonal holy days within their faith
tradition, and are encouraged to offer faith-specific studies.
3939.08 10/24/2022 5
Chaplains share pastoral duties, supervision of inmate groups, and administrative functions
equitably. Chaplaincy departments meet regularly for planning and team building.
Additionally, the department will conduct an annual staff retreat.
When staff members are needed to cover emergency posts, chaplains will be assigned
posts consistent with their pastoral roles. Chaplains ordinarily should not be assigned to
mass shakedowns, searching inmates, or the more visible custody posts as they maintain
high visibility throughout the institution and provide needed crisis intervention and
pastoral care.
History
PS 3939.08 dated 2022-10-24
Provenance
- Source
- bop.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-20
- Edition
- bop-ps-2026-09-20
- Content hash
9469475f765acca8b5b03340c30c0d1636ccdcd1874adcea404fd656f7eff11f
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