Six inmates at a New York state prison filed a federal lawsuit against the corrections department after it announced a lockdown during the upcoming total solar eclipse. The inmates, who belong to various religions, claimed that the decision infringed upon their religious rights as the eclipse is considered a significant event in many faiths. The inmates, who are incarcerated at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility, sued to be able to view the eclipse, and a settlement was reached allowing them to do so.
The Alston & Bird law firm, representing the plaintiffs, filed a voluntary discontinuance on Thursday following the settlement. The agreement reached with the state Department of Corrections will allow the six inmates to view the solar eclipse in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs. This outcome was a result of the inmates’ lawsuit alleging religious discrimination in response to the lockdown decision issued in March that would have affected all prisons in New York.
The inmates involved in the lawsuit have differing religious beliefs and are serving time for various crimes. From an atheist convicted of rape to a Baptist imprisoned for sexual assault, the individuals come from different backgrounds. The decision to lock down the facilities on April 8 due to the solar eclipse prompted the legal action, as the next such event is not expected until 2044. The inmates’ religious beliefs and the significance of the eclipse to them led to the legal dispute and eventual settlement.
The complaint filed by the inmates described the solar eclipse as a special event that warrants gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer in various religions. The inmates, including Muslims, Seventh Day Adventists, and practitioners of Santeria, sought to view the eclipse in accordance with their beliefs. The settlement agreement reached with the corrections department will allow the six inmates at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility to observe the solar eclipse without any restrictions.
Overall, the lawsuit brought by the six inmates against the New York State Department of Corrections resulted in a settlement that allows them to view the total solar eclipse next week. The inmates, with varying religious beliefs and criminal charges, were able to assert their rights to witness the event in accordance with their faith. The legal action taken by the Alston & Bird law firm on behalf of the inmates led to a resolution that permits the individuals at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility to participate in the rare celestial event without any interference.
