Federal judge rules literature policy violated First Amendment rights of prisone

Federal judge rules literature policy violated First Amendment rights of prisoners

As a result of a lawsuit settlement, inmates throughout the California prison system will now be able to get Bible study materials without interference from authorities. The suit arose when the state prison in Corcoran refused to deliver Bible study and other religious correspondence from prison ministries to inmates.

Now, after two years of legal battles, a federal judge has said the state prison's policy violated prisoners' First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. Because of that ruling, state officials have agreed to provide greater access to religious literature and other material sent to inmates by prison ministries.

Brad Dacus is president of the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), which sued the state. He says the revised policy can be used by prisons nationwide, as it is "applicable and can serve as a model for prisons across the country in all 50 states and can help prison ministries be further empowered to minister and provide wonderful ministry materials to prisoners throughout the United States."

Dacus says PJI regularly receives similar complaints from inmates across the nation, whose Bible study materials or religious correspondence is being intercepted by prison officials. However, he says for prisoners at the state prison in Corcoran, the case has been settled.

"Any opportunity for any individual to be able to hear the Word and to have their life transformed is a major victory," the PJI spokesman states. "This [ruling] is, of course, going to address the opportunity for millions to be exposed directly to the Word of God," he says.