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Supreme Court rules Rastafari man can’t sue Louisiana prison officials who cut his dreadlocks
By Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· June 23, 2026
· 3 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 Terrell Hills News
The Supreme Court's decision to bar a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut his dreadlocks has implications for religious freedom in Texas prisons. As the San Antonio area is home to several correctional facilities, the ruling may affect how local prison officials balance security concerns with inmates' religious rights. The case highlights the need for Texas prisons to establish clear policies and training for staff on respecting inmates' religious beliefs, including those of Rastafari and other minority faiths. In Terrell Hills and surrounding communities, residents may want to pay attention to how local law enforcement and correctional facilities respond to this ruling, and whether they will take steps to ensure that inmates' religious rights are protected. The decision may also prompt local advocacy groups to push for greater accountability and oversight of prison officials' actions regarding inmates' religious freedoms.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 3 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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