The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a former inmate cannot sue prison officials for monetary damages for forcibly shaving his dreadlocks, citing the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000.
The ruling clarifies the scope of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, determining that it does not allow individuals to sue state employees for monetary damages in their personal capacities for violating religious rights.
The U.S. Supreme Court has barred a former Louisiana inmate, Damon Landor, from suing prison officials who cut off his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafari religious beliefs. In a 6-3 decision, the court's conservative majority upheld lower court rulings, stating that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 does not permit lawsuits for monetary damages, even when religious rights are violated.
Landor was forcibly shaved bald at the Raymond Laborde Correctional Center. He argued that the act violated his religious rights as a Rastafarian. The court's opinion, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, stated that RLUPIA does not allow for legal challenges against individual officials.
In a statement to USA Today, Landor said his dreadlocks are "a part of me and part of who I am." Growing uncut, uncombed hair into dreadlocks is a symbol of devotion and spiritual growth for Rastafarians.
The Justice Department had urged the Supreme Court to revive Landor's case, a stance that contrasted with the Trump administration's position in a similar 2020 case. Louisiana has since amended its prison grooming policy to prevent similar incidents.