Inmates in New York are taking legal action against the state corrections department for imposing a lockdown during the upcoming total solar eclipse. The lawsuit argues that the lockdown, scheduled for April 8, violates inmates’ constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from participating in a religiously significant event. The plaintiffs, including individuals with various religious backgrounds such as Baptist, Muslim, Seventh-Day Adventist, Santeria practitioners, and an atheist, are incarcerated at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne. They believe that the solar eclipse holds great religious significance and should be a time for gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer.
The lawsuit highlights the rarity of the celestial event and mentions references to similar phenomena in religious texts such as the Bible and sacred Islamic works. The plaintiffs argue that the solar eclipse is an important event that warrants religious observance and participation. One of the named plaintiffs, an atheist, had initially received permission to view the eclipse using special glasses provided by the state, but this permission was revoked following the system-wide lockdown. The lawsuit claims that four other inmates also sought permission but were denied, with officials stating that the solar eclipse is not considered a holy day for their respective religions. One inmate did not receive a response to his request.
The corrections department spokesperson, Thomas Mailey, refrained from commenting on the pending litigation but mentioned that all requests for religious accommodations are considered. He stated that requests related to viewing the eclipse are currently under review. Acting commissioner of the department, Daniel Martuscello III, issued a memo on March 11 announcing a holiday schedule for all state correctional facilities on the day of the eclipse. Incarcerated individuals will be confined to their housing units during the eclipse period, except for emergencies, which coincide with the usual outdoor recreation hours. Visitations at prisons in the path of totality will be canceled, while others will end early. Safety glasses will be distributed to staff and inmates at these facilities.
The total solar eclipse is expected to be visible in western and northern regions of New York, including cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Lake Placid, and Plattsburgh. The event is set to occur around 3:15 p.m., lasting only a few minutes as the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, creating a momentary nighttime. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking the opportunity to observe and partake in the eclipse for religious reasons, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual significance of the event to them. The case brings to light the complexities of balancing religious freedoms with institutional regulations in a correctional facility setting.
