Native American Prisoners Sue Rhode Island Corrections Department for Religious Discrimination

Lawsuit alleges RIDOC denied inmates' requests to practice religious traditions and obtain sacred items

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Five Native American men incarcerated in Rhode Island's maximum security prison have filed a lawsuit against the state's Department of Corrections, alleging that the agency has prevented them from engaging in religious practices, obtaining religious items, and maintaining a diet consistent with their beliefs. The plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU of Rhode Island and a student legal clinic, claim RIDOC's actions violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing struggle for incarcerated individuals to freely practice their religious traditions, even as federal law requires prisons to accommodate the religious exercise of institutionalized persons. The lawsuit argues RIDOC's denials are inconsistent with policies adopted by other prisons across the country to enable Native American religious activities.

The details

The lawsuit alleges RIDOC has denied the plaintiffs' requests to engage in pipe ceremonies, drum circles, smudging ceremonies, and powwows, as well as obtain items like headbands, medicine bags, and dreamcatchers. The plaintiffs also sought a diet of foods local to New England. RIDOC reportedly lacks policies or programs to accommodate Native American religious practices, even as it permits religious accommodations for other faiths.

  • The lawsuit was filed earlier this month (February 2026).
  • A hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for March 4, 2026.

The players

American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island

A nonprofit organization that filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Native American prisoners.

Roger Williams University School of Law

A student legal clinic at the university that is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Rhode Island Department of Corrections

The state agency that the Native American prisoners allege has discriminated against them by denying their requests to practice their religious traditions.

Jared Goldstein

A professor of law and the director of RWU's Prisoners' Rights Clinic, who is representing the plaintiffs.

J.R. Ventura

A spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

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What they’re saying

“We respect everyone's constitutional right to practice and self-identify as a member of any religion they choose.”

— J.R. Ventura, Spokesperson, Rhode Island Department of Corrections (The Brown Daily Herald)

“Rhode Island just needs to look around and adopt policies that other prisons have done.”

— Jared Goldstein, Professor of Law and Director of Prisoners' Rights Clinic, Roger Williams University School of Law (The Brown Daily Herald)

“Prisons are very dehumanizing institutions. Restricting prisoners from their religious practices makes it even harder for them to have any part of their humanity respected.”

— Jared Goldstein, Professor of Law and Director of Prisoners' Rights Clinic, Roger Williams University School of Law (The Brown Daily Herald)

What’s next

A hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction in the case is scheduled for March 4, 2026.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges incarcerated individuals face in freely practicing their religious beliefs, even as federal law requires prisons to accommodate the religious exercise of institutionalized persons. The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how prisons must adapt to enable Native American religious practices.