Two inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque have filed a lawsuit alleging they were denied religious accommodations, forced to follow Ramadan fasting practices and subjected to interference with attorney-client communications. The plaintiffs, Ha Nasi Yisrael and Timothy Harlan, say in the complaint they are Messianic Jewish men and Black Israelites. They sought accommodations to observe Passover. In the lawsuit, they said they requested kosher meals, but were not placed on a kosher meal plan. Instead, they allege they were required to fast during the day in line with Ramadan practices. The lawsuit also alleges MDC denied requests for prayer shawls and religious books, citing suicide-risk concerns. Both men say they were never placed on suicide watch. One of the plaintiffs further alleges that during a cell raid his religious materials were thrown to the ground, stepped on and kicked. Both inmates say they felt humiliated for participating in a different religion. The complaint also accuses jail staff of listening to attorney-client phone calls and intercepting legal mail. “Religious freedom does not end at the jailhouse door,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys said in a statement. “Detention centers are required to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs unless there is a compelling and legally sufficient reason not to do so.”The attorneys said the case involves constitutional and statutory protections for incarcerated people and alleges MDC policies substantially burdened the inmates’ religious exercise during Passover. In a statement, MDC Warden Kai Smith said the detention center “is dedicated to fostering an environment of inclusion and respect for all religions observed by the inmates in our custody and care.” “Our legal department will carefully evaluate this lawsuit, assess its validity, and act in the best interests of MDC and those we serve as we move forward,” Smith said.The lawsuit seeks relief through the courts for what the plaintiffs describe as violations of their constitutional and legal rights.
Two inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque have filed a lawsuit alleging they were denied religious accommodations, forced to follow Ramadan fasting practices and subjected to interference with attorney-client communications.
The plaintiffs, Ha Nasi Yisrael and Timothy Harlan, say in the complaint they are Messianic Jewish men and Black Israelites. They sought accommodations to observe Passover. In the lawsuit, they said they requested kosher meals, but were not placed on a kosher meal plan. Instead, they allege they were required to fast during the day in line with Ramadan practices.
The lawsuit also alleges MDC denied requests for prayer shawls and religious books, citing suicide-risk concerns. Both men say they were never placed on suicide watch.
One of the plaintiffs further alleges that during a cell raid his religious materials were thrown to the ground, stepped on and kicked. Both inmates say they felt humiliated for participating in a different religion.
The complaint also accuses jail staff of listening to attorney-client phone calls and intercepting legal mail.
“Religious freedom does not end at the jailhouse door,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys said in a statement. “Detention centers are required to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs unless there is a compelling and legally sufficient reason not to do so.”
The attorneys said the case involves constitutional and statutory protections for incarcerated people and alleges MDC policies substantially burdened the inmates’ religious exercise during Passover.
In a statement, MDC Warden Kai Smith said the detention center “is dedicated to fostering an environment of inclusion and respect for all religions observed by the inmates in our custody and care.”
“Our legal department will carefully evaluate this lawsuit, assess its validity, and act in the best interests of MDC and those we serve as we move forward,” Smith said.
The lawsuit seeks relief through the courts for what the plaintiffs describe as violations of their constitutional and legal rights.
