Supreme Court Hears Landor Dreadlocks Case

The United States — Supreme Court of the United States is currently hearing arguments in the case of Damon Landor, a Rastafarian former inmate, against United States — Louisiana prison officials. Landor is suing for monetary damages under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act after guards at the Raymond Laborde Correctional Center forcibly cut his dreadlocks in 2020, despite his religious beliefs and a prior court ruling. Lower courts have consistently ruled against Landor, stating the law does not allow for damages against state officials. The United States — United States Department of Justice, however, now supports Landor's claim, citing a 2020 Supreme Court decision under the similar Religious Freedom Restoration Act that allowed damages against federal officials. The state of United States — Louisiana, represented by Attorney General Liz Murrill, concedes the egregious nature of the incident but argues against the applicability of monetary damages in this context. A decision is expected by spring.