Fact Check: Supreme Court to Hear Shocking Case of Inmate's Dreadlocks Forcibly Shaved
What We Know
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving Damon Landor, a Rastafarian inmate whose dreadlocks were forcibly shaved by prison guards in Louisiana. This incident occurred during Landor's five-month prison term for drug possession, which began in December 2020. According to Landor, he presented a copy of a 2017 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that stated Rastafarian inmates must be allowed to keep their dreadlocks under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000. However, guards disregarded this information, leading to the alleged violation of his religious rights (New York Times, Washington Post).
Landor's lawsuit claims that he was handcuffed and forcibly shaved against his will, which he described as a traumatic experience. The Louisiana Attorney General has condemned the actions of the guards but argues that the law does not permit Landor to sue for monetary damages (Deseret News, USA Today). The Supreme Court's decision will focus on whether the RLUIPA allows inmates to sue for damages against prison officials.
Analysis
The claim that the Supreme Court will hear Landor's case is substantiated by multiple reputable sources. The New York Times and the Washington Post both confirm that the Supreme Court has agreed to take up the case, which centers on the violation of Landor's religious rights as a Rastafarian (New York Times, Washington Post). The incident has drawn attention not only due to its shocking nature but also because it raises significant questions about religious freedom and the rights of inmates.
The reliability of these sources is high; both the New York Times and the Washington Post are established news organizations known for their rigorous journalistic standards. The details provided about Landor's experience and the legal context surrounding the case are consistent across multiple reports, indicating a strong consensus on the facts (CBS News, Deseret News).
However, it is important to note that while the actions of the prison guards have been condemned, the legal question remains complex. The Fifth Circuit Court ruled that Landor could not seek monetary damages under the RLUIPA, which adds a layer of legal nuance to the case that the Supreme Court will need to address (USA Today).
Conclusion
The claim that the Supreme Court will hear the case of an inmate whose dreadlocks were forcibly shaved is True. The case involves significant legal questions regarding the intersection of religious freedom and the rights of incarcerated individuals. The Supreme Court's decision to take up this case highlights the ongoing legal debates surrounding religious rights in the context of prison regulations.
Sources
- Supreme Court to Hear Rastafarian Prisoner's Suit Over Shaved ... New York Times
- Supreme Court takes case of Rastafarian whose head was ... Washington Post
- Supreme Court takes up religious freedom case for former inmate who was ... Deseret News
- Supreme Court takes case on religious rights of prisoners - USA TODAY USA Today
- Supreme Court takes up case of Rastafarian man seeking to sue prison ... CBS News
