Inmates at a powwow at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington. Photo from Huy / Facebook

The U.S. Supreme Court today ordered another look at a case affecting the religious rights of Indian inmates in Alabama.

In an order, the court issued what is known as a GVR, or grant, vacate and remand. The justices granted the Indian inmates' petition in Knight v. Thompson, vacated an earlier ruling in the case and remanded the matter to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals for further consideration.

The case will now be re-examined in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision in Holt v. Hobbs. By a unanimous vote, the justices held that a policy affecting the length of a Muslim inmate's beard violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).

In the Knight case, Indian inmates in Alabama are not allowed to grow long hair due to limits on the length and manner of hair style. In July 2013, the 11th Circuit held that the policy did not violate the RLUIPA, a decision that appears to run counter to the high court's latest guidance.

The Indian inmates asked the Supreme Court to review the decision in February 2014. By that time, the justices had already granted the petition in Holt v. Hobbs so the Knight case was put on hold.

The Native American Rights Fund, the National Congress of American Indians, and Huy, an organization that provides economic, educational, rehabilitative and religious support for Native inmates, filed an amicus brief in Holt v. Hobbs while they were waiting for action on the Knight case.

"Much like the Muslim prisoner in the case, prison grooming policies are a persistent, undue barrier for Native prisoners’ religious practice," the brief stated. "Like the beard sought by petitioner here, wearing unshorn hair is an ancient and significant religious practice for Native People. However, by implementing grooming policies that mandate short hair, devoid of religious exemptions, some prison officials force Native inmates to make a Hobson’s choice: abandon their sacred religious practice, or undergo either forced haircuts or punishment for non-compliance with grooming policies."

Supreme Court Decision:
Holt v. Hobbs (January 20, 2015)

11th Circuit Decision:
Knight v. Thompson (July 26, 2013)

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