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Prisoners Sue Over Religious Book Limits

In the wake of post-9/11 crackdown, First Amendment concerns arise

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 10, 2007 2:49 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The removal of  hundreds of thousands of  religious books  from federal prison libraries is drawing fire—not just from inmates, but from chaplains and other religious leaders. In the wake of 9/11, the Bureau of Prisons issued an approved list of religious books for institutions it controls, the Times reports, to eliminate those advocating radicalism or violence.

The bureau ordered the removal of books not included on the list but hasn't funded replacements or released the names of the experts who compiled the list. Chaplains say the regulations are so broad that they infringe upon prisoners' rights to practice religion, and many libraries have been gutted. Two prisoners in upstate New York have brought a a First Amendment lawsuit against the bureau.

Some outraged inmates have already filed a class-action suit arguing that the banning of the materials violates the first-amendment rights of prisoners.
Some outraged inmates have already filed a class-action suit arguing that the banning of the materials violates the first-amendment rights of prisoners.   (Shutterstock.com)
The Qur'an Translation
The Qur'an Translation   ((c) adobemac)
A Copy of The Quran at Museum Of Natural History NY
A Copy of The Quran at Museum Of Natural History NY   ((c) *Muhammad*)
Prison libraries across the country are purging thousands of religious texts in favor of a few pre-approved titles.
Prison libraries across the country are purging thousands of religious texts in favor of a few pre-approved titles.   (Shutterstock.com)
While the ban does not extend to actual holy texts or prayer books, the measure is designed to limit the religious perspectives available to prisoners and prevent extremism, which some say is overkill.
While the ban does not extend to actual holy texts or prayer books, the measure is designed to limit the religious perspectives available to prisoners and prevent extremism, which some say is overkill.   (Shutterstock.com)
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The Supreme Court takes on the issue of prisons and religion
NPR

Inmates file class-action lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons
Times Herald-Record (Middletown, NY)

 
prison • religion • First Amendment • lawsuit • prisoners • Bureau of Prisons • book

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