Rastafarian Prisoner Can Move Ahead On One Claim

In Acoolla v. Angelone, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21559 (WD Va., April 10, 2006), a Rastafarian prisoner sued the Virginia Department of Corrections claiming that his religious beliefs require him to keep his hair and beard uncut; wear religious beads in his hair; eat a vegan-kosher diet; use prayer oil; and participate in group worship on Saturday in a ceremony that includes the use of drums, chanting, readings, and religious conversations. A Virginia federal district court rejected all of the prisoner's claims of access to these, except for his request for a kosher vegan diet. On that claim the court denied summary judgment, finding that the record was insufficient at present to support a finding that defendants' refusal furthered a compelling interest by the least restrictive means.