Fact Check: Guards cut inmate's dreadlocks despite prior respect for his religious beliefs.

Fact Check: "Guards cut inmate's dreadlocks despite prior respect for his religious beliefs."

What We Know

In December 2020, a Rastafarian inmate named Damon Landor was forcibly restrained and had his dreadlocks shaved at the Raymond Laborde Correctional Center in Louisiana. This act was in direct violation of his religious beliefs, which dictate that he should not cut his hair as part of his Nazarite vow, a commitment to let his hair grow long in dedication to the Lord. Prior to this incident, Landor had been allowed to keep his dreadlocks at two other facilities, indicating that there was a prior respect for his religious expression (Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic).

Landor had provided documentation of his religious beliefs and previous court rulings that supported his right to maintain his dreadlocks. Despite this, upon his transfer to the Raymond Laborde facility, guards ignored his requests and forcibly cut his hair (AP News).

Analysis

The incident involving Landor raises significant questions about the adherence to religious freedom laws within correctional facilities. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that the Louisiana Department of Corrections' grooming policy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when applied to devout Rastafarians. This legal precedent underscores that Landor's rights were not only recognized but should have been accommodated (Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic).

The forced shaving of Landor's dreadlocks can be seen as a blatant disregard for his sincerely held religious beliefs, which is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act prohibits discrimination based on religion and mandates reasonable accommodation unless it imposes an undue hardship on the employer (EEOC). The Supreme Court's decision to hear Landor's case further emphasizes the importance of protecting religious rights within the prison system (USA Today).

The reliability of the sources cited is high, as they include legal documents, statements from credible organizations like the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic, and news reports from established media outlets. These sources provide a comprehensive view of the legal context surrounding Landor's case and the implications for religious freedom in correctional facilities.

Conclusion

The claim that guards cut an inmate's dreadlocks despite prior respect for his religious beliefs is True. The evidence indicates that Damon Landor's rights were violated when he was forcibly shaved, despite having previously been allowed to maintain his dreadlocks in accordance with his Rastafarian faith. This incident highlights ongoing issues regarding the accommodation of religious beliefs in prison settings and the need for adherence to established legal protections.

Sources

1. Section 12: Religious Discrimination
2. Notre Dame Religious Liberty Clinic represents Sikhs ...
3. Supreme Court will hear case of Rastafarian whose dreadlocks were ...
4. Supreme Court to Hear Rastafarian Prisoner's Suit Over Shaved Dreadlocks
5. SCOTUS to hear case of Rastafarian whose dreadlocks were shaved by ...
6. Supreme Court takes case on religious rights of prisoners - USA TODAY
7. Supreme Court takes up case of Rastafarian man seeking ...