An Overview of Minority Religious Groups and the Need for Accommodations in U.S. Prisons

This chapter reviews the historical and legal basis for accommodating minority religions in prison, particularly the Supreme Court case Cruz v. Beto (1972). It analyzes the religions that incarcerated persons most commonly convert to, and details the problems faced after conversion, such as harassment, proselytization attempts, lack of access to resources, and permission to follow religious-based restrictions. Accommodation issues and recommendations are presented for several minority religions popular among incarcerated persons, including Eastern religions (Buddhism, Hinduism), Western religions (Judaism, Islam, Sikhism), Afro-Caribbean practices, Native-American spiritual traditions, and neo-paganism.