Supreme Court Rules Against Religious Freedom for Incarcerated People

Interfaith Alliance is deeply troubled by today’s Supreme Court ruling in Landor v. Louisiana. The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) is an important protection for religious freedom in prisons, but today's ruling weakens its real world impact by closing off meaningful ways for compensation when violations occur. 

Today’s ruling is not just a setback for Damon Landor, it threatens the enforceability of religious freedom protections for incarcerated people across the country. As Justice Jackson warned in dissent, this ruling ‘ties the other hand’ of the incarcerated people seeking to enforce their rights. Without the ability to hold individuals accountable and limited ways to sue state agencies for monetary damages, the practical consequence is stark.

Interfaith Alliance joined Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and four other religious and civil rights groups in filing an amicus brief in support of Landor, arguing that the ability to sue for individual damages is critical for imprisoned people seeking to defend their religious freedom. We stand by that today. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ben DePasquale, [email protected], 717-779-4660