House arrest is the strictest form of community supervision. It means you are expected to be at your place of residence 24 hours a day except for certain allowed exceptions including work. In most cases, if you want to attend church it will be permitted, but there will be guidelines. Getting Permission If you have not already been told you can attend, you need to get clearance before you go. Call your probation officer and request permission well before the day of services. As an added precaution ask if you can get the permission in writing in case your probation officer is ever out sick and a different person supervises temporarily and needs to know it is okay. Check out: Teens on House Arrest Don’t Church Jump Some offenders use church as a way to get out of the house. Each week they claim they are going to a different church and service, when it is actually a way to go around town visiting old friends who will be at various services. Choose a church and stick with it so your probation officer continues to allow it. Church Means Church Just because you can attend services and possibly Sunday school, it doesn’t mean you can go to the church socials, fellowship events and picnics in the park. Go to the service and go home. Otherwise you may be violated or at the very least have your church privileges removed. Need guidance? How do I find the right church? Final thoughts: Being allowed to attend church while on house arrest is a privilege, not a right. Take care to keep your word to your probation officer and not use the privilege for other than intended. To do so could be costly.