Inmates in New York Sue Department of Corrections Over Lockdown During Solar Eclipse

*Inmates at New York’s Woodbourne Correctional Facility are suing the state Department of Corrections over a mandatory lockdown that coincides with a solar eclipse on April 8. 

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs contend that the lockdown robs them of the opportunity to witness the rare event, constituting a violation of their constitutional religious rights, Complex reports. The most recent solar eclipse was witnessed in 2017. 

The inmates, including a Muslim, a Baptist, a Seventh-Day Adventist, two Santería believers, and an atheist, share a common belief that “April’s solar eclipse is a religious event that they must witness and reflect on to observe their faiths.”

Per the lawsuit, inmate Jeremy Zielinski said the eclipse celebrates his atheistic belief in “science and reason.”

“Mr. Zielinski firmly believes that observing the solar eclipse with people of different faiths is crucial to practicing his own faith because it is a central aspect of atheism to celebrate common humanity and bring people together to encourage people to find common ground,” the lawsuit states, Complex reports. 

“It will be 20 years before another opportunity like this exists,” the Seventh-Day Adventist, David Haigh, told Hell Gate. 

“I don’t believe that just because I am incarcerated that I should be denied this opportunity, especially when this eclipse is scheduled to happen during normal outside recreation time,” Haigh added. 

According to a representative of the Department of Corrections, safety glasses will be handed out to inmates “in the event they will be able to view the eclipse from their assigned work location or housing units.”

The next solar eclipse isn’t anticipated until 2044. 

READ MORE: Youth Inmates at Louisiana Prison Exposed to Dangerous Heat

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