Work Holiday Proscription

Prisoners of many faiths can continue to celebrate their religious beliefs while doing their time. I receive many emails with lists of offenders who will be allowed a day off from work for religious Holidays; thus, a work Holiday proscription! These informative emails provide the prison staff with some information about the traditional Holiday practices. Occasionally, there is a special meal... or a fast. Some of these Holidays have included Native American Sweat Lodge, Wiccan Samhain, and Passover.

One can also purchase various religious items from the prison canteen to aid in her practices. Perusing this list is like taking a mini-lesson in comparative religion. A Buddhist meditation cushion and Sacred Path cards are the most expensive items on the list, setting you back about $58 and $40 respectively. Religious texts cost about $20. Other interesting items include Thor's Hammer, 2 oz. of Earth (68 cents), a prayer shawl, numerous herbs, and cedar shavings.

I frequently check my patients' canteen lists when they request that I prescribe medications that are available on canteen (mainly prilosec). I can't say I've seen a lot of religious items on their lists, but they do buy a lot of cup of noodles and something called "hot crunchy cheese," which can't be good for the old GERD.

So in case you were wondering, there is some shopping in prison! Looking forward to the horticulture hanging basket sale in a few weeks.