Howard Friedman, Religion Clause

In Ware v. Louisiana Department of Corrections, (5th Cir., July 28, 2017), the 5th Circuit held that prison grooming restrictions which prevent a Rastafarian inmate from wearing dreadlocks violate RLUIPA.

In Johnson v. Roskosci, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 116243 (MD PA, July 24, 2017), a Pennsylvania federal district court allowed an inmate to move ahead with his complaint that his religious tribal cultural beads were confiscated as contraband.

In Evans v. Brown, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 117108 (ND CA, July 26, 2017), a California federal district court allowed a Muslim inmate to move ahead with his complaint that he has not been allowed to participate in the Ramadan meal program.

In Muhammad v. Ponce, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 117275 (CD CA, July 26, 2017), a California federal district court dismissed with leave to amend a Nation of Islam inmate’s complaint seeking an injunction that would allow him to observe Saviour’s Day each year with a commemorative fast followed by a ceremonial meal.

In Bailey v. Batista, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 118035 (D MT, July 27, 2017), a Montana federal district court dismissed an inmate’s complaint that he was denied vegetarian meals.