Prisoner Exemptions From State RFRAs

[Robert S Carr]

Lawrence Sager wrote:
>
> Mike and Chip are surely right in calling for more information about >the operation of RFRA in the prison context.
>
> But based on the little I've seen, let me make a prediction:  RFRA-like
> provisions should do their most good in a prison setting.  The reason  > is that in that setting, they will operated most like an equality > principle, spreading the perquisites of religious worship already      > accorded to mainstream Christian and Jewish believers to non-mainstream > believers (eg, Muslim)...

I think all of you are right to suggest the need for more evidence.  It
is my experience that the "non-mainstream believers (eg, Muslim)" are
not the problem and are receiving the full panoply of religious rights.
But the problem would be the Santarians who want animal sacrifice and
the even more non-mainstream who adopt bizarre religious practices which
the prisons would have to show a compelling need and least restrictive
policy to control.  If I were in prison I am sure I would soon develop
sincerely held beliefs, etc., which would make my life more comfortable
and  compound the problems of prison administrators.
Robert S. Carr
Charleston, S.C.