PRACTICE OF WORSHIP (OPINION) • • Chaplains should be authorised, subject to the necessary checks being made, and under their own responsibility, to introduce quantities of such foodstuffs where there are no alternatives; such quantities will necessarily be limited. A wider range of products should be offered in the context of “canteens” (detention centres) or cafeterias (hospital complexes). These are only stopgap measures towards compliance with the principle of eating according to the precepts of one’s own religion; the European Court of Human Rights recently had occasion to establish this principle in respect of a detainee (ECHR, 7th December 2010, Jakóbski v. Poland, n°18429/06, section 44 and 45 - violation of Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights). At least these measures can be quickly arranged. 8/ Collective practices that are religious in essence call for the following observations: • • • It should be possible to hold collective prayers or services on premises specifically designed for this purpose; these premises should be large enough and fitted out for their intended purpose (e.g. the contrôle général has seen rooms that had no electrical sockets), provided of course that they comply with the requirements covering public order (especially as regards the number of people who can gather there) and neutrality vis-à-vis the various religions, their use being placed under the responsibility of chaplains of the various denominations. When services are held on these premises, according to timetables arranged to suit the wishes of chaplains and accepted by the governor, they should provide a minimum level of peace and quiet and no events should knowingly disrupt any prayers or services held there (especially the untimely entry of third parties into the room or any superfluous interventions on the part of staff). It is therefore desirable that, whenever possible, and certainly in the case of new establishments, premises should be set aside exclusively for holding services, and their religious dimension should be made apparent. In addition to regular services, within the necessary limits of good order, these premises should be able to accommodate those who wish to celebrate known and identified religious festivals; the authorities should be informed of the timetable 91