Inmate Can’t Keep Tarot Cards in His Cell
Apparently a federal court ruling on a case that had been appealed from Arkansas ruled that a prison inmate had to remove his Tarot cards from his cell, and they will not be accessible within the prison. Mark W. Singson, the inmate, tried to argue that this policy not allowing the use of his cards violated the rights given to him through the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. He stated that it prevented him from performing spontaneous readings for fellow inmates. Prison officials argued that it was a necessity to have this policy in effect in order to prevent illegal gambling among prisoners, because the Tarot cards can substitute as playing cards, as well as many other safety precautions.
“The court found that Singson had been permitted to check out the tarot cards several times without chaplains rejecting his requests, and that he is allowed to keep other religious items in his cell. They said that “even if the check-out system burdens Singson’s religious beliefs, it is the least restrictive policy that promotes prison safety while accommodating Singson’s religious beliefs.” It does indeed sound as though the Department of Corrections is trying to meet the religious needs of prisoners, while still maintaining order and control over the general inmate population.”
What are your thoughts on this case and the decisions that were reached?
February 03 2009 09:46 am | witchcraft/wiccan news
