The Supreme Court hears oral arguments this morning in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections. At issue in the case is whether an action for damages lies under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in a suit against a prison official in his personal capacity. Plaintiff, a Rastafarian, had his dreadlocks forcibly shaved by prison guards. The Supreme Court has previously held that a damage action under RFRA can be brought against federal prison personnel, but the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals held that it would violate the Spending Clause to recognize a similar remedy under RLUIPA, which is a statute based on Congress' Spending Clause authority. Oral arguments can be heard live at 10:00 AM at this link. Links to all the briefs and pleadings in the case, as well as related material can be found on the SCOTUS blog case page for the case. A transcript and audio of the full oral arguments will be available later today on the Supreme Court's website here.
