Spending time behind bars is a challenging experience. There are, however, rules in place to protect the rights of prisoners throughout New York and the rest of the nation. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and examples of its protections.
Understanding the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act
The thought behind the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act is to understand and protect that many prisoners use religion to rehabilitate themselves. Because of this, this act prevents both local and state institutions from placing unnecessary restrictions on how someone practices their chosen religion.
How this act protects prisoners
One of the most common protections of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act involves someone’s diet. Many religions have restrictions in place regarding what followers can not eat. For instance, Jewish individuals would have prisoner’s rights allowing them to eat a kosher diet. Or someone practicing Hinduism might not believe in eating meat and require vegetarian meals.
Certain religions have strict rules banning their followers from getting haircuts. Typically a belief held among Sikh followers, these people believe it’s a sin to cut their hair. Regardless of a prison’s rules, this person would be allowed to let their hair grow under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
Lastly, prisoners also have protections regarding religious texts. If a prisoner believes in Christianity, they should have access to the Bible. Someone believing in Islam should have access to the Qur’an.
In closing, prisoners should have the right to practice their chosen religion. Currently, several states face lawsuits for violations related to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.