Prisoners' religious rights at issue in case before Supreme Court

Published: 2005-03-22

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a case with possible implications beyond the prison system, the Supreme Court considered whether a federal law dealing with prisoners' religious rights amounts to unconstitutional government favoritism of minority or fringe religions over nonbelief. In oral arguments over Cutter vs. Wilkinson March 22, Paul Clement, acting U.S. solicitor general, said the government can constitutionally favor religion over irreligion, even in cases where the religious beliefs at issue might seem bizarre to others. At issue is a 2000 law, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which requires authorities at prisons that receive federal funding to accommodate prisoners' religious beliefs unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.

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