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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 Tomball News
The Supreme Court's decision to bar a former Louisiana inmate from suing prison officials who cut his dreadlocks has implications for the protection of religious rights in Texas prisons. As the Houston area continues to grow and diversify, local prisons will likely encounter a wide range of religious beliefs and practices. The ruling suggests that prison officials in Texas may not be held financially responsible for violating inmates' religious rights, even if they knowingly disregard federal law. This could have significant consequences for inmates in Harris County, where Tomball is located, who may face similar challenges in practicing their faith while incarcerated. The decision may also prompt local advocacy groups to push for stronger protections for religious freedom in Texas prisons, potentially leading to changes in state law or prison policies.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News 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
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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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mark Sherman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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