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| N.M. Inmate Sues Over Freedom of Religion |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 01/13/2003 |
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A New Mexico inmate has sued over freedom of religion, saying prison officials have denied him the right to practice Satanism. Michael R. Zunich, in a lawsuit filed in state district court recently, alleged an officer took his religious material from his cell last August and he has been denied it since. 'I have been trying to get my religious material back, but was told it was misplaced,' his lawsuit said. 'I had to cut my hair, which is a religious part of me.' State Corrections Department spokesman Gerges Scott had no comment on the lawsuit, which alleges prison officials have denied Zunich's written requests to return the material pertaining to Satanism, including letters and documents. 'I was told my religion is not practiced here,' Zunich, 24, wrote in the lawsuit. He said he has worshipped Satan since he was 14. 'We Satanists worship Satan just like you worship your God,' he wrote. Phil Davis, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union in Albuquerque, said recently the First Amendment protects freedom of religion, including inside state prisons. And he said federal laws clearly state the nature of someone's religious beliefs should have no bearing on the right to worship freely in a state prison. 'The court will take this claim very seriously,' Davis said. Davis said it is not unusual for prison officials to deny inmates the right to worship as they please. Muslims and American Indians have not been allowed freedom of worship in the prison system, he said. Zunich, of Clovis, was admitted to the Penitentiary of New Mexico near Santa Fe in March 2001 after being convicted of vehicle burglary. Scott said he has previous convictions for burglary and misdemeanor larceny. The lawsuit was filed against former Corrections Secretary Rob Perry and prison officials. |
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