Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety
Issues
Are monetary damages permissible against a government official for violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000?
This case asks the Supreme Court to consider whether a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) by a government official allows for an individual to seek monetary damages against that official in their individual capacity. Landor contends that RLUIPA should be interpreted identically to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), which allows for individual-capacity monetary damages against a government official. Landor also argues that the Spending Clause of the United States Constitution permits RLUIPA to allow for these damages. The Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety argues that RLUIPA is distinct from RFRA precisely because the Spending Clause of the Constitution precludes individual liability of state officials, so RFRA and RLUIPA should not be interpreted identically. This case directly impacts freedom of religion rights in prisons, specifically for religious minorities, and the deterrence of future violations of those rights.
Questions as Framed for the Court by the Parties
Are monetary damages permissible against a government official for violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000?
Incarcerated in 2020 for approximately six months, Damon Landor was held in three different correctional facilities in Louisiana. Landor v.
Additional Resources
- Lawrence Hurley, Supreme Court takes up religious claim by Rastafarian whose dreadlocks were cut by prison officials, NBC News (June 23, 2025).
- Damon Root, Prison Guards Forcibly Cut a Rastafarian Inmate's Dreadlocks. SCOTUS Will Decide If They Can Be Sued Over It., Reason (Sept. 9, 2025).
- Mark Sherman, Supreme Court will hear case of Rastafarian whose dreadlocks were shaved by Louisiana prison guards, The Associated Press (June 23, 2025).
- WBRZ Staff, U.S. Supreme Court hearing case concerning Louisiana inmate whose head was shaved, WBRZ (June 23, 2025).