Prison sued for impinging on inmate's freedom of religion

A former inmate jailed in New Mexico is suing senior officials in the Corrections Department for allegedly violating her right to freedom of religion while imprisoned. She claims the prison officials actively thwarted her attempts to practice her religion—Laveyan Satanism.

Monica Lujan, who claims she has been a Satanist since she was 13, said in her lawsuit that the officers at New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility in Grants, from which she was just released, denied her the right to freely practice her religion. She says that she was denied her right to have a Satanic Bible despite several requests, and that she "faced retaliation for being a believer." Lujan was serving a three-year sentence for drug-related crimes and forgery at the time.

The lawsuit indicates that almost all of Lujan's belongings were confiscated when officers found photocopies of the Satanic bible, a prayer book, and a drawing of a pentagram in her bunk. Meanwhile, prison officials reiterate that the facility recognizes various religions, including holy days, religious practices, and items related to worship, saying that inmates are allowed to practice Satanism behind bars, as long as it isn't a security threat.