Howard Friedman, Religion Clause

In Mitchell v. Daniels, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108599 (MD AL, Aug. 18, 2015), an Alabama federal district court adopted a magistrate’s recommendation and dismissed an inmate’s complaint about inadequate security to prevent desecration of the Native American ceremonial grounds.

In Green v. Fox, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 109131 (CD CA, Aug. 17, 2015), a California federal district court dismissed without prejudice an inmate’s habeas corpus petition seeking release so he could obtain medical treatment from a Christian Science practitioner that he was denied in prison.

In Avery v. Paramo, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 109127 (SD CA, Aug. 18, 2015), a California federal district court dismissed a Pagan-Wiccan inmate’s retaliation claim, but permitted him to proceed with his complaint regarding refusal to accommodate Pagan/ Wiccan/ Asatru practices by providing a fence perimeter, fire pit, water line, and herb cultivation, and by providing him a monthly supply of honey, nuts, dried fruit, trail mix and non-yeast crackers.

In Allah v. Christburg, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108590 (MD AL, Aug. 18, 2015), an Alabama federal district court adopted a magistrate’s recommendation (2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 109611, July 27, 2015), and dismissed a complaint by an inmate who complained that he was not permitted to observe Ramadan, participate in Muslim prayer services or receive a Qur’an, prayer rug or Islamic literature. The inmate had failed to specify his religious affiliation when he was booked into the facility.

In Hosey-Bey v. Williams, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 109363 (MD AL, Aug. 19, 2015), an Alabama federal district court adopted a magistrate’s recommendation (2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 110146, July 30, 2015) and dismissed an inmate’s complaint that defendant ordered the Sunday school service of the Moorish Science Temple of America closed down after only 10 to 13 minutes because of a shortage of officers for security for the chapel.

In Hoeck v. Miklich, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 110921 (D CO, Aug. 20, 2015), a Colorado federal district court denied injunctive relief to an inmate who complained that he was not permitted to observe the holy days and diet of his Biblical Christian faith.

In Shabazz v. Cruzen, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 111210 (ND CA, Aug. 21, 2015) and Fadan v. Cruzen, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 111213 (ND CA, Aug. 21, 2015), a California federal district court permitted inmates to move ahead with their complaint that correctional officers would not allow Muslim inmates to pray in groups larger than four, despite a contrary ruling by the Religious Review Committee.