Spratt v. Wall

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. (2006-2007)

Appeal of a federal court ruling upholding a warden’s decision to bar an inmate from supervised preaching at religious services even though he had done so for seven years without incident. The appeal argues that the ban violates a federal law guaranteeing religious freedom to institutionalized persons. The appellate court reversed the lower court ruling, and the state subsequently adopted a new policy in accordance with the federal law, and also agreed to pay damages and attorneys’ fees. Cooperating Attorneys: Lynette Labinger, Carly Iafrate

Documents

Brief filed by the ACLU in the U.S. District Court

Decision by the U.S. District Court to uphold the ban

Brief filed by the ACLU in the U.S. Court of Appeals

Decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn the ban

News Releases:

January 11, 2006 - RI ACLU Files Appeal on Behalf of Inmate Barred From Preaching at Christian Services

June 7, 2006 - Court Uphold Ruling Barring Inmate from Preaching; ACLU Considers Appeal

November 1, 2006 - ACLU Asks Appeals Court to Overturn Ban on Inmate Preaching at Christian Services

April 9, 2007 - Appeals Court Overturns Ban on Inmate Preaching at Christian Services