William Doylem, a U.S. Federal prisoner in Kentucky, will now be able to practice his religion just as freely as any other Federal prisoner.  In the past, Federal prison officials would allow groups of men to gather to play basketball, but no more than three, like Doylem, to pray.

In response to a lawsuit by Muslim Advocates and Doyle, United States Penitentiary McCreary, near Pine Not, Kentucky, has withdrawn a policy restricting group prayer and changed its national guidance to recommend accommodation of group prayer opportunities for Muslim prisoners.  For the first time, says Muslim Advocates, the federal government is acknowledging the need to change its rules.

Matt Callahan, staff attorney for Muslim Advocates, a national civil rights organization based in Washington, DC, is prepared to take further action if any of the 142 federal prisons ignore their obligation to ensure the right to pray at their facilities. “If prisons continue to restrict group prayer in violation of the guidance, Muslim Advocates will continue to consider other responses--including future lawsuits,” he told Port Of Harlem.

A report by Muslim Advocates revealed that Muslims in state prisons are also denied the right to pray in groups, access religiously appropriate meals (meals with no pork or with halal meat), to grow beards, and other exercises of their faith that the U.S. Constitution protects.

Following the groundbreaking ruling, Muslim Advocates is calling on Americans to contact the Federal Bureau of Prisons and ask the agency to ensure that the new guidance is enforced so that incarcerated people of all faiths can practice their religion. Anyone can submit an email to the Bureau of Prisons through  Muslim Advocates’ website.

Additionally, anyone who is aware of a prison with a policy of restricting group prayer should contact Muslim Advocates either at their mailing address (Legal Intakes, Muslim Advocates, P.O. Box 34440, Washington, DC 20043) or via email.