Suit Charges New York With Failing To Accommodate Religious Practices Of Prison Guards

The New York Civil Liberties Union yesterday (press release) filed a federal lawsuit challenging a policy that forbids state prison guards from wearing religious head coverings. The suit was brought on behalf of a devout Muslim who was informed that he could no longer wear a kufi while on duty at a state work-release program, even though he had been wearing it for many years without creating any problems. The complaint (full text) charges that the refusal by the State Department of Correctional Services to accommodate religious beliefs of prison guards "stands in sharp contrast to the policies of other agencies". Today's Albany Times Union reports on the case.