Overview of Sossamon vs. Texas

I Introduction

Harvey Leroy Sossamon III was denied the ability to use the prison chapels, in the state prison in which he was being held (Oyez.org). Sossamon had been in the Robertson Unit of the Correctional Institutions Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice since 2002 (Fasoro). His claims for use were that of religious purposes, the state prison warden in fact denied all inmates that were cell restricted access to such activities. Sossamon was entitled to the use the chapel, in fact it was in his rights. However the prison inmates were provided with different ways and places to practice their religion. Regardless Sossamon explained that the alternatives were absent of Christian symbol. In fact Sossamon witnessed Muslim inmates receive better treatment (Findlaw.com). This came in the forms of treatment, meals and other necessities. Sossamon also added that the alternatives were noisy from the exterior and unfit for religious worship due in part to bad conditions (Fasoro). Sossamon also confirmed if the inmates did not cease prayer when ordered by the guards they were subjected to retaliation or other physical mistreatment (Findlaw.com).Sossamon to advantage of his Secular activity time and began to study the law. Finally when the inmates were on lockdown, could not participate in religious activities but could still participate in schedule secular activities (Fasoro).

In turn Sossamon filed a suit against the state of Texas, also to include their state and prison officials. The case was known as Sossamon v.Texas. Sossamons initial argument was the prison systems interference with his ability to practice his religion not only violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act or “RLUIPA” and Ins...

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...e same nor the person representing themselves get as far as Sossamon did.

Works Cited

Fasoro, Priscilla Fasoro, Justin Haddock, and Kate Hajjar Hajjar. "Sossamon v. Texas (08-1438)." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2014. .

Van Oort, Aaron . "Supreme Court Decides Sossamon v. Texas." - The Law Firm of Faegre Baker Daniels. N.p., 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 May 2014. .

"SOSSAMON v. TEXAS." Sossamon v. Texas. N.p., 21 May 2014. Web. 29 May 2014. .

"SOSSAMON III v. LONE STAR STATE OF TEXAS VI VI." Findlaw. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2014.