Six inmates from Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County, New York, will be able to see the total solar eclipse on Monday after filing a lawsuit claiming that being denied the opportunity to view the eclipse during prison lockdowns violated their freedom to exercise religion.
The New York State Corrections Department agreed on Thursday to let them see the eclipse, but the statewide prison lockdowns will continue.
Six inmates will be able to see the eclipse on Monday
“We are pleased that, in response to our lawsuit alleging religious discrimination, New York State has entered into a binding settlement agreement that will allow our six clients to view the solar eclipse in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs,” the attorneys for the inmates said in a press release.
According to the lawsuit, the department’s temporary commissioner, Daniel Martuscello III, sent a statewide memorandum to all institutions on March 11 announcing that the day of the eclipse will be observed as a holiday. This entails a lockdown from 2 to 5 p.m., during which inmates will be confined to their cells.
“Incarcerated individuals will remain in housing units except for emergency situations,” the document stated, adding that the restrictions were implemented to ensure the safety of employees, security, and inmates.
In response to the lawsuit, the state agency stated that the six inmates will be able to see the eclipse on Monday, but the lockdowns will remain in effect. However, other people who wish to see the eclipse can apply for permission, which would be examined and granted based on merit.
According to the New York Times, only six Woodbourne inmates have been granted permission to observe the eclipse thus far.
