Exploring the parameters of a statute that protects the right of inmates to freely exercise their religion, a federal appeals court has ruled that a prisoner who founded a religion that requires martial arts sparring but forbids eating meat or appearing nude in front of non-members was properly barred from leading a prison congregation.
But a unanimous panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Keesh v. Smith, 08-2816-pr, concluded that denying the inmate his religion-mandated dietary regime might not be the “least restrictive means” to address security or administrative concerns, and remanded that issue to the court below.
