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Supreme Court rules Rastafari man can't sue Louisiana prison guards who forcibly cut his dreadlocks
By AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut off his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafari religious beliefs.The justices condemned what happened to the former inmate, Damon Landor. But they ruled that a federal law designed to protect the r...
Key takeaway The justices refused to apply the rationale from their decision in 2020 that allowed Muslim men to sue over their inclusion on the FBI's no-fly list under a sister statute, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The Supreme Court's decision in the case of Damon Landor, a Rastafari man whose dreadlocks were forcibly cut by Louisiana prison guards, has implications for Nashville 's own prison system and the protection of inmates' religious rights. While the court condemned the actions of the prison guards, its ruling that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act does not permit lawsuits for money damages may embolden prison officials to disregard inmates' religious beliefs. In Nashville, where the local prison system has faced criticism for its treatment of inmates, this decision may raise concerns about the city's ability to protect the rights of prisoners from diverse religious backgrounds. The fact that Louisiana has amended its prison grooming policy in response to Landor's case suggests that other states, including Tennessee, may need to reexamine their own policies to ensure that inmates' religious rights are respected.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut off his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafari religious beliefs.The justices condemned what happened to the former inmate, Damon Landor. But they ruled that a federal law designed to protect the r...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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