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The Alaska Department of Corrections reversed its policy banning alcoholic wine from religious ceremonies in prison facilities on Friday, following a report from The Spectator.
The interim policy, which was issued on June 6 and signed by Commissioner Jennifer Winkelman, stated that “no altar wine or other alcoholic beverages will be used by anyone who is involved with any activity. The use of a non-alcoholic substitute (juice) for altar wine may be considered.”
The policy effectively banned Catholic masses, which require alcoholic wine in order to be considered valid, from the prison system. Catholic prisoners would thus be unable to fulfill their holy obligation to attend Mass each Sunday.
“The use of a small amount wine by a Catholic priest in the celebration of Holy Mass is a requirement for Catholics,” Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, explained.
After The Spectator’s report, the Alaska Department of Corrections revoked the interim policy.
“Alaska Department of Corrections acknowledges the recent concern surrounding the June 6, 2023 Interim Policy and Procedures Memorandum (816.01). We respect the unintended issue generated by this memo and for that reason have repealed the memo in question,” a statement provided to The Spectator reads.
“Our topmost priority is to ensure a secure and safe environment, but at the same time, to honor the religious beliefs of all those in our care and custody. Alaska DoC remains committed to serving the State of Alaska with the highest level of respect and integrity,” a spokesperson for the Alaska DoC said. “Our topmost priority is to ensure a secure and safe environment, but at the same time, to honor the religious beliefs of all those in our care and custody. Alaska DoC remains committed to serving the State of Alaska with the highest level of respect and integrity.”
The Alaska DoC said that the policy banning altar wine was instituted amid a larger review of the state prison system’s faith-based programming. The revocation of the interim policy means the DoC will revert to its prior rules regarding alcoholic wine, which state, “any use of altar wine at a faith group related event must be approved by the superintendent after consultation with the institutional chaplain or chaplaincy coordinators under the procedures in this policy and shall only be consumed by the clergy member who is conducting the activity.”
Catholics do not have to consume altar wine in order for a mass to be valid, but it must be present during the ceremony so that the priest may consecrate and consume it.
Past legal challenges to similar policies have resulted in courts erring on the side of recognizing the rights of Catholic inmates to properly practice their faith while incarcerated.
