Despite an impending solar eclipse next Monday, prison inmates in New York have found themselves facing an unexpected hurdle. The state corrections department has rightly favored security, opting to enforce a lockdown during the event. However, this has triggered a lawsuit filed by a group of inmates in federal court on Friday. They claim that the April 8 lockdown denies them the right to practice their religion, interfering with their participation in a religiously significant event.
(Photo : Unsplash/Jongsun Lee)
Plaintiffs of Diverse Faiths Join the Cause
Six inmates incarcerated at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne have come forward as plaintiffs in this case. Their religious identities range from Baptist and Muslim to Seventh-Day Adventist, two practitioners of Santeria, and even an atheist. They argue that a solar eclipse is not just a rare, natural happening but holds great religious significance for many followers.
Biblical references acknowledge an eclipse-like event during Jesus' crucifixion, while in Islamic scriptures, a similar occurrence marked the death of the Prophet Muhammad's son. The inmates emphasize that the celestial event warrants gathering, prayer, worship, and celebration. Notably, the last eclipse visible in the U.S. occurred in 2017, with the following only expected in 2044.
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Lockdown Under Question
One intriguing aspect of the lawsuit reveals that the named atheist plaintiff received special permission to view the eclipse using state-provided glasses last month before the announcement of the system-wide lockdown. The complaint states that the other four plaintiffs sought permission but were denied when officials stated the solar eclipse did not constitute a holy day for their religious beliefs. The sixth inmate stated he did not receive a response on this matter.
Thomas Mailey, a spokesperson for the corrections department, refrained from commenting on the pending litigation. He simultaneously underlined that the department reviews all requests for religious accommodations, including those related to eclipse viewing.
Corrections Department Preps for Lockdown
Daniel Martuscello III, the department's acting commissioner, issued a memo on March 11. He announced the application of a holiday schedule to all state correctional facilities on the day of the eclipse. This implies that inmates will remain confined to their housing units from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., apart from emergency cases. According to the lawsuit, these hours usually mark outdoor recreation time in prisons.
At the same time, almost two dozen prisons in the path of totality will not permit visitations. Other correctional facilities will see visitation schedules end by 2 p.m. Despite this, Martuscello confirmed the department's plan to distribute solar eclipse safety glasses for staff and inmates. They can view the eclipse from their assigned locations or housing units.
New York Gears Up for Celestial Display
The best viewing for this total eclipse is expected within the western and northern bounds of the state, which encompasses locations like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Lake Placid, and Plattsburgh. According to predictions, these parts of New York are set to witness the total eclipse around 3:15 p.m., lasting only a few minutes. As the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, it creates a transient scene of day turning into night.
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