Posts Tagged ‘prisoner religious liberty’
‘American Taliban’ wins prison-prayer lawsuit
Federal judge blocks Indiana prison from enforcing ban on daily group prayer, but notes that her ruling doesn’t prohibit it from taking less restrictive security measures.
Calif. inmate’s prayer-oil case moves forward
Federal judge rules for prisoner David Rentz II, who produced evidence that another inmate had been allowed to use religious oils before Rentz was denied his.
Colo. appeals court revives prisoner’s Ramadan case
Patrick Portley-El says his rights were violated when state prison officials prevented him from observing the Muslim holiday.
4th Circuit rejects N.C. inmate’s pagan-worship claim
Federal appeals panel finds inmate failed to explain how denial of outdoor circle for Asatru ceremony violated his religious beliefs.
9th Circuit rejects inmate’s challenge to typewriter ban
Panel cites 2011 ruling in determining that Nevada’s policy is reasonably related to prison-safety concerns.
S.D. prison tobacco ban burdens inmates’ religious rights
Federal judge finds that even if state officials had asserted a compelling government interest, they didn’t prove the ban was the least-restrictive means of furthering that interest.
‘American Taliban’ seeks group prayer in Ind. prison
Trial starts today in lawsuit claiming prison officials are violating John Walker Lindh’s religious rights by preventing inmates from praying together daily.
Guards immune from claim after removing inmate’s cap
Prisoner contended his religious liberties were violated when officers took his prison ID photograph; 3rd Circuit panel disagrees.
Fla. prisons sued for not offering kosher meals
Justice Department says state ‘forces hundreds of its prisoners to violate their core religious beliefs on a daily basis.’
Feds join challenge to S.D. prison ban on ceremonial tobacco
Justice Department says state’s policy runs contrary to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and U.S. Supreme Court precedent.
Dismissal recommended for inmate’s race-based religion claims
Federal magistrate says California prisoner failed to show how having a nonwhite cellmate burdens the practice of his religion under the First Amendment.
Wyo. prisoner denied use of sweat lodge
Federal judge says refusal may substantially burden Andrew John Yellowbear Jr.’s religious beliefs, but that safety and order at prison take precedence.
S.C. jail won’t allow priest to use wine during Mass
Jail administrator Mitch Lucas bars Monsignor Ed Lofton from celebrating ritual after he refuses to use grape juice as substitute.
Court revives inmate’s claim against no-beard policy
4th Circuit panel says prison failed to explain why a Muslim prisoner’s 1/8-inch beard worn for religious reasons would pose a problem.
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Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and in Washington, D.C. Previously, Paulson served as the editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center and president and chief operating officer of the Diversity Institute, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is an expert in First Amendment issues who writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications. Hudson teaches law and was a scholar at the First Amendment Center.
Tiffany Villager is director/First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center, which she joined in 1993. She also served as the center’s research manager and research coordinator, and developed the center’s library.
Religion Commentary | David L. Hudson Jr.
10th Circuit rejects inmate’s lawsuit over special diet
Colorado man might have had better luck pursuing his claim through federal or state religious-liberty laws than through free-exercise clause.