local
Supreme Court rules Rastafari man can’t sue Louisiana prison officials who cut his dreadlocks
By Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston)
· 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 Sugar Land News
The Supreme Court's decision in the case of Damon Landor, a Rastafari man whose dreadlocks were cut off in a Louisiana prison, has implications for religious freedom in correctional facilities across the Houston area, including those in Fort Bend County. While the court condemned the actions of the prison officials, the ruling that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act does not permit lawsuits for money damages may embolden some institutions to disregard inmates' religious rights. This decision may be particularly relevant in a diverse community like Sugar Land , where residents value freedom of religion. The fact that Louisiana has amended its prison grooming policy to prevent similar incidents suggests that other states, including Texas, may need to reexamine their own policies to ensure that inmates' religious beliefs are respected. Local authorities should take note of this case and consider reviewing their own procedures to protect the rights of inmates of all faiths.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Sugar Land 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 KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) ·
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 KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) and curated for Sugar Land News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston). To learn more about how Sugar Land News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Sugar Land News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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