RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS IN PRISON: THE STATES' POLICIES V. THE CIRCUIT COURTS

As a fundamental right of United States citizens, freedom of religion does not stop at the prison door. In the last 50 years, legislation and litigation involving management of religion in prisons has been quite active. This study reviews such activity, showing the history of prison-religion law development, along with the case law in the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts since the inception of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. A review of relevant laws and cases, coupled with examination of existing policies from different states, correctional administrators and legislators may derive policy implications for future accommodations of offenders’ religious rights.