Filed Date: Jan. 3, 1973
Closed Date: Nov. 9, 1997
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Prior to 1982, three Muslim inmates in the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, Indiana filed a lawsuit under 42 USC 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana against prison officials claiming a violation of their First Amendment Right to freely exercise their religious beliefs.
The parties entered into a consent decree on May 28, 1982 in which the defendants agreed to recognize the American Muslim Mission as a legitimate religious group and to afford it the same rights as other religious groups at the Indiana State Prison. More specifically, the consent decree afforded the plaintiffs with the right to possess a Koran and other religious books, to have a pork-free diet, to observe Ramadan, and to participate in weekly religious services and study classes.
On October 21, 1996, pursuant to the Prison Litigation Reform Act, the defendants moved to terminate the consent decree. The District Court (Judge Allen Sharp) granted the motion on December 13, 1996. James v. Lash, 949 F.Supp. 691 (N.D. Ind. 1996).
The plaintiffs moved to reconsider, asking the court to find the PLRA unconstitutional and vacate the order terminating the consent decree. On May 15, 1997, the District Court denied the motion. James v. Lash, 965 F.Supp. 1190 (N.D. Ind. 1997).
According to the PACER docket, which begins with the October 1996 termination motion, two status reports were entered before the case was closed on November 19, 1997.
Summary Authors
Rebekah Henn Sullivan (8/4/2006)
Sharp, Allen (Indiana)
Bodensteiner, Ivan E. (Indiana)
Overholt, Anthony W. (Indiana)
Sharp, Allen (Indiana)
Last updated March 25, 2024, 3:08 a.m.
State / Territory: Indiana
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 3, 1973
Closing Date: Nov. 9, 1997
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Indiana prison moving to terminate consent decree directing prison to adopt and implement guidelines for the practice of religion by the Islamic community
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Indiana State Prison Officials, State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1982 - None
Issues
General:
Discrimination-basis:
Type of Facility: