In Merrick v. Inmate Legal Services, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181120 (D AZ, Dec. 30, 2013), an Arizona federal district court dismissed an inmate's complaint that he was denied unmonitored and unrecorded clergy calls with a specific pastor he preferred.
In Morton v. Eastern Regional Jail, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181186 (ND WV, Dec. 30, 2013), a West Virginia federal district court adopted in part a magistrate's recommendations (2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181185, June 14, 2013) and dismissed a Muslim inmate's claims against the named defendants that the jail violated his rights by failing to provide Islamic worship services, religious study classes, prayer materials, or staff.
In Goodwin v. Palmer, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181529 (N.D. Iowa Dec. 31, 2013), an Iowa federal district court permitted a civil detainee to proceed with his complaint that his free exercise rights are being infringed by denial of access to a minister unless he signs a DHS authorization form.
In Strong v. Livingston, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181671 (SD TX, Dec. 31, 2013), and in Hickman-Bey v. Livingston, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181682 (SD TX, Dec. 31, 2013), a Texas federal district court denied stays pending appeal of previous preliminary injunctions allowing plaintiff Muslim inmates to wear a one-quarter inch beards.
In Ali v. Wingert, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 204 (D CO, Jan. 2, 2014), a Colorado federal district court adopted a magistrate's recommendation (2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 182081, Nov. 19, 2013) and dismissed a Muslim inmate's complaint that he was required to use his commitment name along with his religious name on his mail.
