General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Affirms the importance of religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) and recognizes the contributions of Prison Fellowship. -

HJR 847 is a symbolic resolution affirming Tennessee's support for religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under the federal RLUIPA law. It recognizes Prison Fellowship's 50-year work in supporting faith-based rehabilitation programs in prisons, including its "Prison Fellowship Grow" program at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center. The resolution encourages Tennessee correctional agencies to maintain policies aligned with RLUIPA, which ensures incarcerated people can practice their religion without unnecessary restrictions, and commends Prison Fellowship's role in reducing recidivism through faith-based initiatives. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies.