Jackson now appeals with counsel appointed by this Court. This Court has already dismissed Jackson's appeal against defendants Taylor and Brunson. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm in part, reverse in part and remand. We review the district court's decision to grant summary judgment de novo. The Prison Officials' Motion for Summary Judgment Jackson contends that the district court erred when it concluded that there were no triable issues of fact.
Prisoners retain their right to religious freedom even when incarcerated.
An inmate is therefore entitled to a reasonable accommodation of his religious beliefs. A claimant need not be a member of a particular organized religious denomination to show sincerity of belief. The district court erred by granting summary judgment to the prison officials on Jackson's freedom of religion claim. He also submitted an affidavit from his mother, in which she stated that she had raised Jackson according to the Jewish faith and dietary laws. Instead, they continue to assert that we should simply uphold the DOCS policy of deferring to Jewish religious authorities on the question whether an inmate is Jewish for purposes of the kosher diet program.