Papieskie rozumienie wolności religijnej i godności osobistej więźniów
Pope’s Understanding of Freedom of Religion and the Personal Dignity of Prisoners

Summary/Abstract: The present article is devoted to the subject of Pope’s understanding of freedom of religious prisoners and their personal dignity. The author first examines John Paul II’s relation towards freedom, including the freedom of religion and conscience, then the question of Pope’s approach towards the issues of punishment (including the death penalty). The present author drew attention to the fact that John Paul II from the human dignity of prisoners derived their right to religious freedom, whereas the punishment, including imprisonment, declared admissible if it is done with the recognition of prisoners’ subjectivity. Separate considerations are devoted to the Papal teaching addressed to prisoners, especially those young ones, and prison staffs. The Pope, with fatherly care, treated juvenile offenders to whom the penalty performance systems should allow a chance to return to normal society. The whole article is summarised by remarks on a timeless dimension of Papal recognition of the religious freedom of people who were deprived of their liberty.

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