Wiccan inmate claims Pa. jail officials deny religious practice

[davidinalameda]

http://www.dominionpost.com/a/news/2003/12/30/av/

An inmate who practices Wicca has filed a federal civil rights suit, claiming Bedford County jail officials are violating his religious rights by forbidding him to practice his religion.

''If it has spells in it, I'm not allowed to have it,'' Charles Risenburg, 27, of Saxton, said in the lawsuit. He is not seeking any monetary damages, only to be able to practice his religion and receive vegetarian meals.

Wicca is based on respect for the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons. Wiccans consider themselves witches, pagans or neo-pagans.

[LWolf]

1. Interesting.

The head of our local interfaith choir is a wiccan. She works closely with the head of the interfaith group, an archbishop. And she conducts religious classes for inmates at the local prison. And serves as a contact to bring info/spiritual support to all inmates of various non-christian faiths, not just wiccan.

Of course, that's a prison, not a county jail. :shrug:

[Walt Starr]

2. I've fought this battle before.

The sheriff will lose on the religious practices, but vegetarianism is not a requirement of the faith, so he doesn't have to fulfill that one.

[DarkPhenyx]

3. Curious. n/t