Inmates at Woodbourne Correctional Facility to Watch Solar Eclipse After Lawsuit
Lawyers representing inmates at New York state’s Woodbourne Correctional Facility have successfully sued the department over its decision to lock down prisons during a total solar eclipse event on April 8. The inmates will now be able to watch the celestial event, as per their religious beliefs.
Background
Six inmates – Jeremy Zielinski, Travis Hudson, Bruce Moses, Oscar Nuñez, Jean-Marc Desmarat, and David Haigh – filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for denying them the right to view the total eclipse, which they argued would violate their religious rights.
Legal Resolution
Lawyers Chris McArdle, Sharon Steinerman, and Madeline Byrd of Alston & Bird represented the inmates. The plaintiffs agreed to drop their suit after a settlement was reached with the corrections department, allowing the inmates to witness the solar eclipse.
Department’s Response
Thomas Mailey, spokesperson for the corrections department, confirmed that the inmates have been granted permission to view the eclipse, leading to an amicable resolution of the lawsuit.
Celestial Excitement
The upcoming solar eclipse has garnered global interest, with skywatchers eagerly anticipating the event where the moon will obscure the sun. This will be the first solar eclipse visible in the US since August 21, 2017.