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SCOTUS blocks lawsuit over forced head-shaving in prison
By Stetson Miller at KGNS — Sitewide
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) -The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a devout Rastafarian man cannot sue Louisiana prison officials, who forcibly shaved off his dreadlocks while he was incarcerated.In a 6-3 opinion along ideological lines, the court’s majority found that former Louisiana prison inmate D...
Key takeaway ”Richard Garnett, the director Notre Dame Law School’s Program on Church, State & Society, said the court’s decision means that prison officials will be less inclined to respect religious freedom rights of inmates.
Why this matters in Laredo News
The Supreme Court's decision to block a lawsuit over prison guards' forced shave of a Rastafarian inmate has implications for religious freedom in Texas prisons. While the ruling specifically addressed a case in Louisiana, it sets a precedent that could affect inmates in Webb County and across the state. Local prison officials may be less inclined to respect religious freedom rights, potentially leading to similar incidents in Texas. The fact that Louisiana revised its grooming policies in response to this case suggests that Texas prisons may also need to reexamine their policies to ensure they are respecting the religious rights of inmates. As the city of Laredo prioritizes public safety and rehabilitation, it is crucial for local officials to consider the impact of this ruling on the rights of inmates in Webb County facilities.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WASHINGTON (Gray DC) -The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a devout Rastafarian man cannot sue Louisiana prison officials, who forcibly shaved off his dreadlocks while he was incarcerated.In a 6-3 opinion along ideological lines, the court’s majority found that former Louisiana prison inmate D...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stetson Miller at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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