MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin judge ruled against the state’s prison system on Thursday, saying its COVID-19 visitation policy that barred Catholic clergy from meeting with inmates for more than a year violated prison law. the state and the guarantee of the state constitution. freedom.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed a lawsuit in 2021 demanding that state corrections officials relax their COVID-19 protocols and allow ministers to visit inmates. The policy was in effect from March 13, 2020 to June 21, 2021.
The archdiocese alleged that Department of Corrections policy prevented archdiocesan clergy from meeting in person with inmates to provide spiritual counseling, communion and penance, violating a state law that grants clergy all denominations weekly visits with prisoners and the constitutional rights of inmates. to freedom of religion.
Lawyers and DOC employees such as psychologists and social workers were allowed to see detainees under the policy if visitors followed health and safety protocols such as temperature checks, COVID-19 testing and wearing masks.
A Wisconsin judge has ruled against the state’s prison system, saying its COVID-19 visitation policy that barred Catholic clergy from meeting with inmates for more than a year violated state law.
Jefferson County Circuit Judge William Hue ruled in favor of the archdiocese, saying the Department of Corrections failed to properly consider religious interests in denying access to clergy for more than 450 days. He issued an injunction prohibiting the department from reinstating the policy.
The law requires the prison system to allow clergy into prisons at least once a week to conduct services, the judge said.
Department spokesman John Beard did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Friday.
The conservative law firm, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, filed a lawsuit.
“Today is a good day for religious freedom in Wisconsin,” said WILL attorney Anthony LoCoco. “Department of Corrections bureaucrats cannot simply ignore the statutory and constitutional rights of Wisconsin clergy or relegate those rights to second-class status. This decision will help ensure that state government officials prioritize to the religious rights of the people of Wisconsin in the future rather than last.
