Canadian prisoners permitted Wiccan rites

OTTAWA, Canada — The Correctional Service of Canada pays for Wiccan priests to visit prison inmates and sets aside space for Wiccan ceremonies in penitentiaries, reports the National Post.

As many as 200 inmates across the country profess to follow Wicca, a pagan religion whose members often call themselves witches, belong to covens and wear the pentagram as their symbol.

Offenders who follow the religion are allowed to don ceremonial robes and keep altars in their cells.

Corrections officials say they have an obligation under human rights legislation to allow the practice of virtually any kind of religious belief and to try to provide help from outside clergy when requested.