4 Spratt's complaint stated that the prison policy prohibiting inmate preaching did not satisfy the “least restrictive means” test in RFRA, and asked for declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and damages of $40.29 (the cost of legal paper and copies).
#Ridoc population report pro
Spratt proceeded to file a pro se complaint against Wall and RIDOC in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, asking for relief under the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42 U.S.C.
Therefore, your request for my intervention is denied. Because you are not an acknowledged member of the clergy, you do not have the right to proselytize or preach to the inmate population. Spratt, you do have the right to practice your religion under the constitution subject to reasonable restrictions. Wall responded in a letter dated December 15, 2003, which states: Wall, director of RIDOC, stating the aforementioned facts, and asking that Wall allow him to preach. 3 Weeden also informed Spratt that if he was found to be preaching, he would be subject to disciplinary action. Spratt formalized his complaint in writing, and Warden Weeden responded that inmate preaching was prohibited by RIDOC Policy # 26.01-2DOC, which states that all religious services are scheduled, supervised, and directed by institutional chaplains. When Spratt approached Warden Weeden about the matter, he was told that preaching by prisoners was not allowed under prison regulations. On October 15, 2003, Spratt was told by a correctional officer that he was no longer allowed to preach in the chapel. In 2003, then-Warden Whitman was replaced by Warden Weeden, who remains the warden of the ACI. 2 Spratt's preaching during this seven year period did not lead to any apparent disciplinary problems at the ACI. From 1995 until 2003, no prison official interfered with Spratt's religious activities. In 2000, Spratt was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church.
Impressed with his commitment and devotion, the prison chaplains began allowing Spratt to preach 1 to inmates during weekly services. In 1995, Spratt underwent a religious awakening, and began attending Christian services at the ACI. Spratt is a prisoner in the maximum security unit and is serving a life sentence for murder. After careful consideration, we reverse and remand for further proceedings. The district court granted summary judgment to RIDOC. Wall (collectively, “RIDOC”) under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. After prison officials prohibited Spratt from preaching to his fellow inmates, he filed suit against the Rhode Island Department of Corrections and its director, A.T. Wesley Spratt (“Spratt”) is a prisoner in the Adult Correctional Institution (“ACI”) in Rhode Island. Coyne-Fague, Chief Legal Counsel, Rhode Island Department of Corrections, was on brief, for appellee. Lynette Labinger, with whom Roney & Labinger LLP Cooperating Counsel, Rhode Island Affiliate, American Civil Liberties Union, was on brief, for appellant. Decided: April 06, 2007īefore TORRUELLA, LYNCH, and LIPEZ, Circuit Judges.
WALL, Director, Rhode Island Department of Corrections, Defendants, Appellees. RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS A.T. United States Court of Appeals,First Circuit.
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