Opinion ID: 164056
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: 1 Plaintiff-appellant Tyrone R. Hammons is incarcerated at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, Oklahoma. Defendants-appellees James L. Saffle, et al., implemented prison policies in May 1999 and June 2002, prohibiting in-cell possession and use of oils that Hammons uses for his five daily Muslim prayers. Hammons, proceeding pro se, filed this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 seeking a declaratory judgment that his First Amendment right to freely exercise his religion was violated. In addition, Hammons sought damages and injunctive relief, costs and fees, and punitive damages in the amount of $100,000 for the alleged violations of his First Amendment rights. Appellees moved for summary judgment. The district court granted appellees' motion, ruling, as a matter of law, that Hammons' First Amendment rights were not violated and that defendant Saffle was entitled to qualified immunity. Hammons appealed and was appointed counsel on appeal. 2 Exercising jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291, this court affirms the district court's grant of summary judgment to appellees on the First Amendment and qualified immunity issues. Because this court holds that, given the unique facts and procedural posture of this case, Hammons should be allowed to have the district court consider whether he has stated a claim under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc, it remands the case to the district court for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.