Howard Friedman, Religion Clause

In Oliver v. Adams, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 177694 (ED CA, Dec. 22, 2016), a California federal magistrate judge allowed an inmate to move ahead with his suit for injunctive relief to the extent he claims systemic discrimination against Shetaut Neter throughout the California correctional system, but dismissed on various grounds other claims relating to past denials of a religious diet and other religious accommodations.

In Sirleaf v. Robinson, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178028 (ED VA, Dec. 21, 2016), a Virginia federal district court dismissed without prejudice for failure to exhaust administrative remedies an inmate’s claims that he was denied religious feasts of his “Common Wealth of Israel” faith.

In Colliton v. Bunt, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178765 (SD NY, Dec. 27, 2016), a New York federal district court rejected a complaint that plaintiff’s probation conditions requiring attendance at treatment and involvement in the community interfere with his lifestyle of prayer.

In Stewart v. Richardson, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178809 (SD NY, Dec. 27, 2016), a New York federal district court allowed an inmate to move ahead with some claims alleging that his religious material, including his bible and family-made items, were confiscated.

In Rials v. Avalos, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178827 (ND CA, Dec. 27, 2016), a California federal district court dismissed with leave to amend a complaint by an inmate who was a member of the Moorish Science Temple of America that a rules violation report placed in his file reduced his ability to practice his religion.

In France v. Allman, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178843 (ND CA, Dec. 27, 2016), a California federal magistrate judge dismissed a complaint by an Odinist inmate that his request for religious meals was denied.

In Beaver v. Nevada, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 179307 (D NV, Dec. 23, 2016), a Nevada federal district court dismissed with leave to amend an inmate’s complaint over denial of a diet based on his religious belief that he should not eat things with a conscience.

In Fields v. Paramo, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 179423 (ED CA, Dec. 28, 2016), a California federal magistrate judge dismissed with leave to amend an inmate’s complaint that his request for a religious circumcision was denied.

In Floyd v. Williams, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 179903 (SD GA, Dec. 29, 2016), a Georgia federal magistrate judge recommended dismissing a Muslim inmate’s complaint that because he was a Tier II inmate, he was not permitted to participate in a second Eid-ul-Fitr feast paid for by inmates, but limited to those in general population.

In Brown v. Ducart, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 179948 (ND CA, Dec. 29, 2016), a California federal district court permitted an inmate who is a minister affiliated with the United Kings Against Genocidal Environments religious community to move ahead with his claim that his group’s religious material was confiscated and that he was told he could not assemble in the prison chapel until he changes his “religious ideology,” as well as the name of his group.