An inmate has written the warden of the prison a letter. In the letter, they describe several possible violations of their rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Which is NOT something the inmate might include in their letter?
“I was forced to eat pork even though doing so is prohibited by my religion.”
“I wasn’t granted a furlough so that I could attend church services outside my facility.”
“I wasn’t allowed to make contact or receive documents from my priest.”
“I wasn’t permitted to watch religious sermons on the television, even after requesting permission.”
“I was given a harsher punishment than other inmates for a disciplinary infraction because of my religious beliefs.”
The statement that is NOT something the inmate might include in their letter is:
"I wasn't permitted to watch religious sermons on the television, even after requesting permission."
The inmate might not include the statement, "I wasn't permitted to watch religious sermons on the television, even after requesting permission" in their letter as a violation of their rights under RLUIPA.
To explain how to arrive at this answer, we need to have an understanding of RLUIPA. The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) is a federal law that protects the religious rights of prisoners. It prohibits correctional facilities from imposing a substantial burden on an inmate's religious exercise, unless it is necessary for maintaining security or order.
In the given options, the inmates can argue that the other three scenarios involve religious rights violations:
1. "I was forced to eat pork even though doing so is prohibited by my religion." This can be seen as a violation of the inmate's freedom to practice their religion, as they were compelled to violate a dietary restriction.
2. "I wasn't granted a furlough so that I could attend church services outside my facility." Denying the inmate a furlough to attend religious services outside the prison can be seen as restricting their ability to participate in communal worship, which is an important aspect of many religions.
3. "I wasn't allowed to make contact or receive documents from my priest." This can be seen as a violation of the inmate's right to have access to their religious leader and material necessary for religious guidance and support.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "I wasn't permitted to watch religious sermons on the television, even after requesting permission" as it does not involve a violation of the inmate's religious rights under RLUIPA.