RELIGIOUS ASSISTANCE IN PRISONS IN URUGUAY. REALITY AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Within the centuries-old secular tradition of Uruguay, cooperation between the State and religion has not been made effective at the state level, despite its existence as a constitutional principle. This absence of religion, which the State has favored, contributes to the fact that the fundamental human right to religious freedom is not a reality for those who find themselves in situations that prevent them from accessing spiritual care. The present work brings an exceptional novelty, which refers to the Protocol for religious life and attention in prisons, which the national government approved some time ago. In this area, cooperation between religion and the State, the equality of the different religious groups in an authentic secularism and respect for religious freedom has been concretized. This singular openness to religion constitutes a real challenge so that religious freedom can be a reality in other areas as well.