DOJ Sues NY Corrections Department For Religious Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act against the New York Department of Corrections claiming that it discriminates by refusing to accommodate, under any circumstances, the religious practices of uniformed security guards who are unable to comply with the Department's uniform or grooming rules. A report in yesterday's North County Gazette gives further details of the complaint. A private lawsuit making similar allegations was filed last October by Muslim prison guard Abdus Samad Haqq who want to be able to wear his Kufi (skullcap). (See prior posting.)