ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the changing response of the Prison Service of England and Wales towards the increase of religious diversity among prisoners. It begins with some critical remarks about the concept of pluralism. The chapter aims to show that it is a problematic concept from a sociological point of view and that the notion of "diversity" is more appropriate in the context of research on prison chaplaincy. The chapter documents the extent of religious diversity in the population of England and and Wales as well as among prisoners. The chapter's central argument is that prison chaplaincy in England and Wales used to be a site of controversy not just because of the growth of religious diversity but also because of the continuing reliance of the British state on the Church of England to act as a universal mission to all prisoners.
