Story perspectives

Supreme Court Case: Rastafarian's Dreadlocks vs. Prison Rules

11/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Damon Landor, a Rastafarian, is at the center of a Supreme Court case after Louisiana prison guards forcibly shaved his dreadlocks.
He argues the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) allows damages claims against officials.
Louisiana officials say the law does not permit lawsuits against individual prison officials.
The Supreme Court could shape religious liberty in prisons, with support from the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

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Story summary

Damon Landor, a Rastafarian, is at the center of a Supreme Court case after Louisiana prison guards forcibly shaved his dreadlocks.
He argues the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) allows damages claims against officials.
Louisiana officials say the law does not permit lawsuits against individual prison officials.
The Supreme Court could shape religious liberty in prisons, with support from the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.