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Supreme Court rules Rastafari man can't sue Louisiana prison guards who forcibly cut his dreadlocks
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut off his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafari religious beliefs.The justices condemned what happened to the former inmate, Damon Landor. But they ruled that a federal law designed to protect the r...
Key takeaway The justices refused to apply the rationale from their decision in 2020 that allowed Muslim men to sue over their inclusion on the FBI's no-fly list under a sister statute, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Why this matters in The Waco
The Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Damon Landor, a Rastafari man whose dreadlocks were forcibly cut by Louisiana prison guards, has significant implications for the protection of religious rights in Texas prisons. While the court condemned the actions of the prison officials, the decision highlights the limitations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in holding individuals financially responsible for violating inmates' rights. This ruling may impact how Texas prisons balance security concerns with the religious freedoms of inmates, particularly those from minority faiths like Rastafari. In Waco , where community leaders often emphasize the importance of respecting diverse faith traditions, this decision may spark renewed discussions about ensuring that local correctional facilities accommodate the religious needs of all inmates, regardless of their background or beliefs. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice may need to review its own policies to prevent similar incidents from occurring in state prisons.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut off his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafari religious beliefs.The justices condemned what happened to the former inmate, Damon Landor. But they ruled that a federal law designed to protect the r...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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