Document: 482 U.S. 342 107 S.Ct. 2400 96 L.Ed.2d 282 Edward O'LONE, etc., et al., Petitionersv.ESTATE OF Ahmad Uthman SHABAZZ and Sadr-Ud-Din Nafis Mateen. No. 85-1722. Argued March 24, 1987. Decided June 9, Syllabus Respondents, prison inmates members of the Islamic faith, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 contending that two policies adopted by New Jersey officials prevented them from attending Jumu'ah, a Muslim congregational service held on Friday afternoons, thereby violated their rights Free Exercise Clause First Amendment. The first such policy, Standard 853, required in respondents' custody classifications to work outside buildings which they were housed Jumu'ah was held, while second, policy memorandum, prohibited assigned returning those during day. Federal District Court concluded no constitutional violation had occurred, but Appeals vacated remanded, ruling could be sustained only if State showed challenged regulations intended did serve penological goal security, reasonable method existed prisoners' religious accommodated without creating bona fide security problems. court also expert testimony should given due weight on, is not dispositive of, accommodation issue. Held: 1. erred placing burden disprove availability alternative methods accommodating rights. That approach fails reflect respect deference Constitution allows for judgment administrators. P. 350. 2. Court's findings establish here are reasonably related legitimate interests, therefore do offend Clause. Both have rational connection governmental interests institutional order invoked justify them, as demonstrated 853 response critical overcrowding designed ease tension drain facilities part day when outside, memorandum necessary since returns details generated congestion delays at main gate, high risk area, need decide return requests placed pressure guards supervising details. Rehabilitative concerns support light indicating corrections sought simulate working conditions responsibilities society. Although issue may prevent some prisoners reasonableness supported fact deprive respondents all forms exercise instead allow participation number ceremonies. Furthermore, there obvious, easy alternatives both suggested accommodations would, officials, adverse effects institution. Placing inside would inconsistent with underlying providing weekend labor Muslims require extra supervision scarce human resources. proposed threaten fostering "affinity groups" likely challenge authority, any special arrangements one group create perception favoritism other inmates. Pp. 350-353. 3. Even where claims made Amendment, this will substitute its difficult sensitive matters administration determinations charged formidable task running prison. 353. 782 F.2d 416 (CA 3 1986), reversed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, POWELL, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. BRENNAN, J., filed dissenting opinion, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, joined, post, p. Laurie M. Hodian, Trenton, N.J., petitioners. Roger Clegg, Washington, D.C., United States, amicus curiae. James Katz, Haddonfield, respondents. Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 1 This case requires us consider once again standard review claimed inhibit Jersey's Leesburg Prison.1 They resulted inability attend weekly regularly building separate facility known "the Farm." commanded Koran must every after sun reaches zenith before Asr, or afternoon prayer. See 62:9-10; Brief Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin al. Amici Curiae 18-31. There question sincerely beliefs compelled attendance Jumu'ah. We hold violate Amendment States Constitution. 2 Inmates three classifications. Maximum "gang minimum" building, lowest classification—full minimum—live classified gang minimum filed, respondent Mateen later full minimum. Several changes prompted litigation. In April 1983, Department Corrections issued provided longer move directly maximum status, spend period time intermediate status. App. 147. change redress problems arisen transferred restrictive status markedly higher level freedom. Because serious further mandated ordinarily jobs building. Ibid. These 8 15 persons, supervised guard. institution, whether off grounds, satellite Farm. 4 implemented these gradually and, noted, difficulty. Shabazz v. O'Lone, 595 F.Supp. 928, 929 (NJ 1984). initial stages prisoners, apparently allowed Fridays so eventually eliminated 1984, directive 5 Significant arose Some avoided reporting assignments, others found reasons course workday (including desire services). Evidence risks administrative burdens unacceptable. guard, whole detail forced gate prisoner desired facility. site incoming foot vehicle traffic day, viewed it area. When an inmate returned, delayed logged searched. 6 burdens, took steps ensure remained Thus, lunch medications out appointments doctors social workers scheduled late afternoon. proved insufficient, however, began study alternatives. After consulting director services, professional prison's imam chaplain, 1984 except emergency. 7 prohibition Respondents alleging unconstitutionally denied applied through Fourteenth applying standards announced earlier decision Third Circuit, occurred. decided "plausibly advance" goals order, rehabilitation. F.Supp., 934. It rejected respondents, finding "no less potentially compromising objective." Appeals, sua sponte hearing en banc, relied upon sufficiently protective free rights, went state if: 9 . show[s] serve, important exists [prisoners'] can weight, adjustment possible. Where sacrificing either state's interest freely exercising refusal observance central practice cannot justified violates prisoner's amendment rights." 416, 420 (CA3 1986) (footnotes omitted). 10 considering potential reasonable, added, relevant factors include cost, overcrowding, understaffing, inmates' proclivity unruly conduct. id., 420, n. remanded reconsideration enumerated opinion. granted certiorari federal issues presented Appeals' decision, resolve apparent confusion among Courts proper claims. 479 881, 268, 93 245 (1986). 11 general principles guide our consideration here. First, "convicted forfeit protections reason conviction confinement prison." Bell Wolfish, 441 520, 545, 99 1861, 1877, 60 447 (1979). Turner Safley, 78, 84, 2254, 2259, 64 (1987); Jones North Carolina Prisoners' Labor Union, Inc., 433 119, 129, 97 2532, 2539-40, 53 629 (1977). clearly retain afforded Pell Procunier, 417 817, 822, 94 2800, 2804, 41 495 (1974), including law shall prohibit religion. Cruz Beto, 405 319, 92 1079, 31 263 (1972) (per curiam ). Second, "[l]awful incarceration brings about withdrawal limitation many privileges retraction considerations penal system." Price Johnston, 334 266, 285, 68 1049, 1060, L.Ed. 1356 (1948). limitations arise valid objectives—including deterrence crime, rehabilitation security. supra, U.S., 822-823, S.Ct., 2804; Procunier Martinez, 396, 412, 1800, 1810-11, 40 224 (1974). 12 appropriate balance factors, we often said evaluation objectives committed considered administrators, "who actually trained particular institution examination." 562, 1886. 86-87, 2260-2261. To courts afford determined alleged infringe judged "reasonableness" test than infringements fundamental See, e.g., 128, 2539. recently restated standard: "[W]hen regulation impinges interests." 89, 2261.2 ensures ability "to anticipate adopt innovative solutions intractable administration," ibid., avoids unnecessary intrusion judiciary into particularly ill suited "resolution decree." 405, 1807-08. ----; 548, 1879. 13 think wrong established prove "that problems." F.2d, 420. 419 (Prison produce convincing evidence unable satisfy way does rights"). Though inquiry, notion "prison set up then shoot down conceivable claimant's complaint." 90-91, 2262. By alternatives, articulated 14 Turning case, acted manner. drew previous decisions identify several determination. logical it. Id., 89-90, ----. meet standard. requirement "at least prisons, confines buildings." 929. beyond doubt concern. subsequent prohibiting passes muster Prison testified area event. Return details, who previously "evaluate each possibly justifying accept reject reason." 931. policy; simulation Deputy Ucci testified: "One things society demands expects you job, show time, put your eight hours, whatever hours supposed in, don't get off. If they're we've done something." Tr. 89. advanced returns; seriously maintained between asserted remote render arbitrary irrational." 16 Our "alternative means right remain open inmates." Ante, are, course, Jumu'ah; insist occur time. But very stringent requirements make extraordinarily assure able service. While minimize importance unwilling sacrifice end. Turner, look see communicating fellow inmates, examined deprived "all expression." 92, 2263. Here, similarly, participate record establishes exercise, observe obligations. congregate prayer discussion "virtually unlimited hours," 182 (testimony O'Lone), state-provided has access different meals whenever pork served cafeteria. Special month-long Ramadan, fasting During awakened 4:00 a.m. early breakfast, receive dinner 8:30 evening. observances faith supports conclusion restrictions reasonable. 17 Finally, validity strengthened examination impact personnel, allocation resources generally. 90, suggest practices, 52-53. As noted Inside "would resources" 932. allowing flourish. Administrator O'Lone "we almost administrator knows individuals together affinity wind leadership role organizational structure invariably authority." 179-180. "other [see] certain segment escaping rigorous detail" perceive favoritism. 178-179. administrators provide adequate request undesirable results difficulties clear "obvious, petitioners." 93, 18 take opportunity reaffirm refusal, even "substitute Block Rutherford, 468 576, 588, 104 3227, 3233, 82 438 (1984), Here objectives. agree necessarily follows 19 Reversed. whom STEVENS join, dissenting. 20 ceremony seek presumptively dangerous, completely foreclosed I demonstrate imposed government interest, greater achieve 101, 1, ----, (1987) (STEVENS, concurring part) (citing Abdul Wali Coughlin, 754 1015 (CA2 1985)). result, affirm remand showing. review, claim new Turner. now stands, foreclosing been established. 21 * Prisoners persons most rather about. Banished everyday sight, exist shadow world dimly enters awareness. "total institution"1 controls daily existence few imagine: 22 "[P]rison complex physical measures, wholly governmental, performed agents government, determine total beings (except perhaps realm spirit, inevitably well) sundown sundown, sleeping, waking, speaking, silent, working, playing, viewing, eating, voiding, reading, alone, others. so, adult population. governments undertaken population rise hour, retire eat live periods companionship whatever, wear clothing, submit oral anal searches visiting nor speaking another, wearing beards, embracing spouses, corresponding lovers." Morales Schmidt, 340 544, 550 (WD Wis.1972). 23 thus netherworld, driven own demands, ordered customs, ruled whose power rests raw necessity. Nothing fact, inhabit own. Prisons margins society, act sever body politic. emerge shadows press claim, invoke alien drawn distant culture. Rather, speak language charter rely official accountable. ask acknowledge exercised restrained diligently acts sunlight. 24 reviewing infringement right, begin premise that, limit authority against them. At same nature individual's thankless job preserving explosive setting, well attempting prepares re-entry mainstream. curtailment elimination 25 how best protect remain. objective selecting not, declares, "[t]o officials." enhancing efficiency conduct affairs, blueprint ensuring sufficient reliance expertise. meant bulwark might otherwise expedients governing. Europe, wrote Madison, "charters liberty power"; America, liberty." Writings Madison 83 (G. Hunt ed. 1906). give needs power, restraints enforced. 26 my view, adoption challenges inadequate task. Such categorically deferential, discriminate degrees deprivation. From perspective, restricting use library warrants scrutiny preventing reading all. Various "factors" weighed differently situation, message clear: merely "reasonably" actions upheld. deemed check exercises hardly necessary. Yet deems single restrain type engage. 27 true degree deprivation itself appropriate, however. did, evaluating claims, long factor rubric. Clearly, never followed approach. A frames terms justification offered, delineates boundaries within argument place.2 differing levels proclaims occasions not. relatively strict signal decree political demonstration basis participants' more concern, scrutinized closely, rule limiting demonstrations place downtown noon. 28 absolute taken account formulation, makes difference determining "reasonable." Once elastic deferential principle justification, "[t]he lies like loaded weapon ready hand bring forth plausible urgent need. Every repetition imbeds deeply thinking expands purposes." Korematsu 323 214, 246, 65 193, 207, 89 184 (1944) (Jackson, dissenting). Mere assertions exigency colorable defense deprivation, especially wary expansive delegations wield too shielded public view; virtually invisible. 29 An better protecting laid Judge Kaufman 1985). maintains depend being activity engage, restriction works (as opposed mere limitation) right." 1033. Essentially, engage restricts place, manner invalidated action. "a freedoms occasioned effectuate involved." 30 court's analytical framework recognizes instances inappropriate judgments professionals years firsthand experience." apply identical significant percentage cases. takes Constitution's function requiring called deprives person regards basic. limited cases, infringement. extent inculcate legal norms, persuasively consistent control essential superiority over fair extreme faith. Wali, find proffered justifications wanting. neither measures purpose. accepted conclude preclude Petitioners unsubstantiated infeasible. II 32 allegations infringed officials. "whether acknowledges "respondents' compe[l] Jumu'ah," ante, concedes Jumu'ah." Nonetheless, finds complete because activities. analysis ignores found, Muslims, "comparable Saturday Jewish Sunday various Christian sects." 930 faiths, provides "assert identity community covenanted God." 32. result: 33 "unlike prayers individually missed, obligatory, up, congregation. regarded religion, obligation Qur'an, book religion." 930. 34 essentially fungible practices. activities obscure denial absolute: participating core reflects membership community. Catholic Mass Sunday, regard anything absolute, opportunities pray, discuss others, avoid eating meat preference. " 'other avenues' available 2263 (quoting 131, 2540-41, (1977)). 35 Under approach, enunciated counsels considerable token, infliction assertion particular, 'exaggerated response' concerns." petitioners bare proposals offered discussed below, permitting prisons Leesburg's years, lends plausibility suggestion accommodated. 36 practices Bureau challenge.3 upholding ban inmate-to-inmate mail, "substantially similar restrictions." ---- CFR 540.17 (1986)). marry, observed marriages generally permitted absent threat safety. 97, 551.10 present worth noting assignments permit ceremonies, "security, safety, good order." 548.14 Bureau's Directive implementing Religious Beliefs Practices Committed Offenders, §§ 548.10-548.15 (1986), states scheduling observances, tenets inmate's presumption relieving program assignment." 8a. Chaplain Director spoken Jumu'ah: 37 "Provision made, wish keep practice. frame corresponds jurisprudence. 38 "Subject routine normal suspended freedom services. 39 "In institutions contain 1a. throughout entire system suggests is, circumstances, compatible administration.4 Indeed, five experienced threats safety result. past practice, minimal substantiation infeasible.5 mean responsible identifying discrediting alternatives; themselves fairly call infeasible, demand Examination indicates substantiation. III Respondents' proposal Friday, recent policy. restricted mingle. difficulty assertion, commented defendants explain why mixed mixed." nonetheless, 853's mandate conclusion, neglects part, administered accommodate failure accommodation. stands problem second regular basis. admitting used kitchen, bakery, tailor shop, stated reserved riskiest unwise. bad idea room contend, records indicate posing lesser risk. riskier moved risky Officials data available, high-risk performing positions, staff monitor arrangement. Given information substantiating contention 43 Third, lost Friday. admitted "[s]ince personnel needed programs weekends, creation additional resources." indication, detail, current infeasible simply reassign arrange schedules services Sunday. 935. Despite weekend, coverage duty "reasonable pursuing [their] comparable adhere conventional precepts," 322, 1081, (1972), infeasibility 44 living Farm immediate vicinity. Since permits entrance, interfere concern no-return policy.6 arrangement group" representing authority. pointed assemble existence. Nor resulting month Ramadan breakfast times.7 concentration posed threat. declared created grouping dangerous classification, concentrated assured Surely, facially implausible contention. 45 assignment near vicinity provoke resentment receiving treatment. existence, Muslims' dietary preferences operate schedule Ramadan. faiths. again, assertions. 46 pronouncements workable. commitment "[p]rison walls form barrier separating Constitution," foreclosure IV 47 contains little surprising proceeded St. Claire Cuyler, 634 109 1980). "sincer[e]" "arguably correct" 114 Jones, 127, 2538-39). systematic analyzing regulations. directed attention relevance case: absolutely drastic doing represent reflexive rest firmer ground presents. 48 Incarceration denies larger deny spiritual community, extinguish last source hope dignity redemption.8 action prefer analyzed Part I, accordance case. dissent. Respondent died January 15, 1986. Safley principal case—that unless protection "presumptively dangerous." 30. 1015, 1033 2261, determination 'presumptively dangerous' appears concerns. tenuous hierarchy review." convinced heightened effectively prohibit, limit, clear, presence absence properly scrutiny. 88, E. Goffman, Asylums: Essays Social Situation Mental Patients Other 1-125 (1961) scholar commented: "The lawyer uses remakes meaning fullest sense. perceptions natural universe constructed related, values motives defined, reasoning elaborated enacted; gives constructing defining roles actors establishing expectations propriety speech conduct." J.B. White, Rhetoric Law: Arts Cultural Communal Life, Heracles' Bow: Poetics Law (1985). 414, 14, 1812, (1974) ("While controlling, well-run restriction"). American Correctional Association, Manual Standards xxi (3d 1966) ("Religion represents rich resource moral regeneration mankind. Especially chaplains, instruction counseling, worship choice, elements correctional institution"). Black country always religion denominations. Bar Association Section Criminal observed: real comes service, attempts restrict movements lawsuits compel recognition opening volley Sostre McGinnis, 906 (2d Cir.1964); Pierce LaVallee, 293 233 Cir.1961), remand, 212 865 (N.D.N.Y.1962), aff'd per curiam, 319 844 Cir.1963); Bryant Wilkins, 258 N.Y.S.2d 455, Misc.2d 923 (Sup.Ct.1965)." ABA Committee Legal Status Prisoners, (Tent. Draft 1977), Am.Crim.L.Rev. 377, 508 entrance 119. discipline non-Muslim 138-139. stated: "Treatment degrades inmate, invades his privacy, frustrates choose pursuits he manifest himself gain self-respect erodes foundations prepare socially useful life. Religion subserves rehabilitative reclaim reassert individuality." Barnett Rodgers, 133 U.S.App.D.C. 296, 303, 410 995, 1002 (1969) Comment, Rights Incarcerated, 125 U.Pa.L.Rev. 812, 853-854 (1977) ("An conscience inviolable unconfined citizen, harm recovery environment"). On rehabilitation, generally; Batson, Sociobiology Role Promoting Prosocial Behavior: Alternative View, J. Personality Psych. 1380 (1983); Heintzelman & Fehr, Relationship Between Orthodoxy Three Variables, Reports 756 (1976).

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