Full Breakdown
Federal Jury Awards Damages to Muslim Inmates Pepper-Sprayed While Praying
3/10/2026, 10:10:15 AM
Incident Overview
On March 6, 2026, a federal jury in eastern Missouri awarded $667,000 in damages to eight Muslim men incarcerated at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre. The men were pepper-sprayed by state correctional officers while praying in their housing unit on February 28, 2021. This incident occurred after the prison chapel was locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had previously allowed the men to pray together without incident.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
The lawsuit, filed by the CAIR Legal Fund and the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Missouri, claimed that the correctional officers used excessive force and violated the men's constitutional rights to practice their religion. The plaintiffs also alleged that the officers showed deliberate indifference to their serious medical needs following the incident, as the men were placed in solitary confinement without access to soap or running water to wash off the pepper spray. Some inmates reportedly resorted to using toilet water to clean their faces.
Initially, the men faced major conduct violations for “acts of organized disobedience,” which were later reduced to minor violations. They were found guilty and released from segregation on March 10, 2021.
Official Statements
Nadia Bayado, an attorney for the plaintiffs with the CAIR Legal Defense Fund, expressed satisfaction with the jury's decision, stating, “Being a Muslim in America should not lead to one being subjected to excessive force or religious persecution. I am overjoyed for our clients, and I hope this verdict brings them and their families solace.” The Missouri Department of Corrections did not provide immediate comments regarding the jury's ruling.
Criticism & Opposition
While the jury's decision has been celebrated by the plaintiffs and their advocates, there has been no immediate response from the Missouri Department of Corrections, which may indicate a lack of acknowledgment of the incident's implications. Critics of the correctional system have pointed to this case as indicative of broader issues regarding the treatment of religious minorities in prisons.
What's Next
The outcome of this case may prompt further scrutiny of the practices within the Missouri correctional system, particularly regarding the treatment of inmates during religious practices. It could also lead to discussions about policy changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Being a Muslim in America should not lead to one being subjected to excessive force or religious persecution." — Nadia Bayado, Attorney for the Plaintiffs
