local
Supreme Court rules Rastafari man can’t sue Louisiana prison officials who cut his dreadlocks
By Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 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 Pearland
The Supreme Court's decision in the case of Damon Landor, a Rastafari man who had his dreadlocks cut off in a Louisiana prison, has implications for the protection of religious rights in correctional facilities across the Houston area, including those in Brazoria County. As Pearland residents, it's worth considering how this ruling might affect the treatment of inmates with religious beliefs that require specific practices or attire. The fact that the Justice Department sided with Landor suggests that there is recognition of the importance of protecting religious rights, even in prison settings. However, the court's decision highlights the need for clearer guidelines on holding individual officers accountable for violating these rights. This case may prompt local prison officials to review their policies on accommodating religious beliefs, and it will be important to monitor how these policies are implemented in facilities within our region.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Pearland stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter