Religion
Cookie bakers from prison ministry groups plan to deliver 19,200 home-baked and store-bought cookies to inmates at Trenton Correctional Institution
Prior to the changes, anyone wearing head coverings, regardless of what it was, had to remove the head coverings when being booked at the jail
Two inmates sued the Corrections Department, seeking recognition of Christian Identity, under a federal law that protects the religious freedom of people confined to prison
The former inmate claims his religious freedoms were violated when his knee-length locks were cut and is appealing for monetary damages
Yusef Maisonet, an imam to Muslim death row inmates Dominique Ray and Nathaniel Wood, alleged that Alabama violated his rights by barring him from attending the inmates’ executions
State appeals court decision asks criminal court to determine if an expert’s testimony on recidivism was false and inaccurate
Texas prison officials must allow a spiritual advisor in the death chamber per an inmate’s request, a judge ruled
Justices rejected Texas’ defense of its policy of allowing an inmate’s spiritual adviser to be present but without speaking or touching the inmate
When the new requirements cannot be accommodated, such as during a security risk, written documentation must be provided explaining why
Some facilities are allowing inmates convicted of terror-related crimes to lead religious services
During the pandemic, Jehovah’s Witnesses continued their ministry inside prisons without sending in ministers
Haddrick Byrd claimed the CO’s chronic whistling “was offensive to his beliefs and disruptive to his prayer”
Teresa Stanfield is normally behind bars, talking with inmates about how she changed her troubled life, but COVID-19 has forced her out of prisons
The settlement requires the department to provide kosher meals to inmates who have requested them previously
The Department of Corrections is ending a requirement that group-worship activities accommodate a minimum of five inmates
Jail officials acknowledged the program was built on biblical principles but said it was open to all faiths
The three men claim staff inside the Men’s Central Jail either delayed or denied access to a halal diet, copies of the Quran or time for weekly prayer
While there are inmates who are sincere about their religious beliefs, many do not use the chapel for its intended purpose
“The guys need that spiritual growth. They need to have people come and minister to them,” La.'s first lady said
The CO says the DOC won’t allow her to wear a hijab at work
A group of free and incarcerated men will lead the Interfaith Day of Prayer for Peace
A Circuit Court of Appeals granted an indefinite stay for the inmate a day before he was scheduled to be executed for slaying a teenager two decades ago
During a holy month when he was supposed to be fasting, a Muslim inmate in the Mecklenburg County Jail still wanted his lunch
The officer is suing the state of North Carolina, alleging that he was discriminated against due to his race and religion after being told he must shave his beard
Deon Glenn, who had to cut his dreadlocks due to policy, said the policy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act
The judge wrote that prison officials failed to justify treating humanism differently from those religions that are recognized behind bars
A late summer prayer service at the Laurel County jail is now the subject of a lawsuit
Rashid Kambarov said that the state’s failure to accommodate his religion violates the First and 14th Amendments
Lawsuits and legal rulings can provide teachable moments for both correctional leaders and COs
