The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Justice Department have struck a deal with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) to expand religious freedoms for those within the state's prison system. This arrangement will allow increased access to group worship and kosher-for-Passover meals, ensuring observance opportunities for religious holidays like Passover, according to a statement by the Justice Department.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division remarked, “The Constitution and federal law guarantee all Americans the freedom to practice their religion, including people who are incarcerated in jails and prisons,” and with this agreement, those of minority faiths, like Islam or Judaism, will have greater ease to gather, worship, and study. The agreement addresses previously restrictive policies that posed barriers for smaller religious congregations, which often lacked the numbers or a faith helper necessary for group worship, which resulted in their religious expression being stifled. The updated policy now requires providing certified kosher-for-Passover meals, a major change from before the Justice Department's investigation, when such meals were not guaranteed for inmates observing Passover, as mentioned by the US Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina emphasized the importance of upholding the right to freely exercise one's religion, saying, “We are committed to protecting this fundamental right and are grateful to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction for its willingness to work with us and revise its policies to protect the religious rights of individuals in its custody," expressing gratitude toward the NCDAC for collaborating to revise policies in support of incarcerated individuals' religious rights. The policy change does not only address group worship but also stipulates that during the eight days of Passover, the North Carolina prison system is to provide certified kosher-for-Passover meals every year and facilitate participation in two Seder ritual observances, complete with a Seder plate of ceremonial foods.
U.S. Attorney Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina highlighted America's commitment to religious freedom, asserting, “In America, that means even those who are incarcerated can continue to worship and pray. NCDAC’s new policies ensure that believers can maintain their faith and religious practices, even after they enter the jailhouse door.”
People seeking more information on the efforts and the role of the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section in this domain can visit the Justice Department's website, the 20th Anniversary of RLUIPA report from 2020, and the statement on the Institutionalized Persons Provisions of RLUIPA issued in 2017, feature further insights into the act's implications and enforcement; those interested can learn more about RLUIPA at the department's official website.
