CBS News
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a former Louisiana inmate’s effort to sue state prison officials after they shaved his dreadlocks in violation of his religious beliefs.
The high court divided 6 to 3 along ideological lines in ruling against Damon Landor, with the three liberal justices in dissent. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the opinion for the majority.
Landor, who is a devout Rastafarian, sought to sue the Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety and prison officials for violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA, after prison guards shaved his head. While lower courts condemned Landor’s treatment, judges on two different courts dismissed his claims. The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit rejecting Landor’s effort to revive his suit against the officers.
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