Filed Date: Feb. 7, 2005
Closed Date: 2008
Clearinghouse coding complete
On February 7, 2005, a prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institution ("FCI") in Beaumont, Texas filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb, et seq., against the United States. The plaintiff, representing himself pro se, asked the Court for injunctive and declaratory relief requiring defendants to consider his requests for religious accommodation.
The plaintiff is an observant Jew and has continued his practice of Judaism while incarcerated. Plaintiff's sincerely held religious beliefs dictate that he drink at least 3.5 ounces of red wine while saying Kiddush, a prayer sanctifying the Sabbath, during Friday night and Saturday Shabbos services. Plaintiff believes that wine must be used because it has been dictated by the Code of Jewish Law and by practice. Plaintiff also believes that he must drink four cups containing at least 3.5 ounces of wine during the Passover Seder. Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") staff denied plaintiff's request to be provided with wine for the Kiddush and Passover observances and instead provided grape juice.
On September 24, 2008, the parties entered a Stipulation of Settlement and Dismissal agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, FCI will spend up to $500 on religious materials. FCI will also provide plaintiff with challah bread for his Friday night and Saturday morning Sabbath observances and Rosh Hashanah, a cup of at least 3 ounces of nonalcoholic wine on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, and 4 cups of at least 3 ounces of nonalcoholic wine during the two Passover Seders and other specified religious observances. The terms of the agreement are limited to the current term of plaintiff's incarceration and each party agreed to bear their own costs and fees.
Summary Authors
Nate West (9/24/2014)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4657412/parties/sample-v-lappin/
Friedman, Paul L. (District of Columbia)
Nadelhaft, Adam S. (District of Columbia)
Contreras, Rudolph (District of Columbia)
Nebeker, William Mark (District of Columbia)
Taylor, Jeff (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4657412/sample-v-lappin/
Last updated Dec. 19, 2024, 1:57 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 7, 2005
Closing Date: 2008
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff, an observant Jew who is incarcerated at the Federal Correction Institution in Beaumont, Texas, argues that the consumption of wine is central to his religious practice and that he should be provided with wine during certain religious occasions.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Issues
General/Misc.: