Here at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) staff officials, particularly Captain G. Lewis, have discontinued Islamic religious service without any justification or any legitimate penological interests. Prison officials here at SVSP have their own policies and arbitrary and capricious rules, which violate my constitutional rights to exercise religious faith and worship of the religion of Islam. This is a deliberate violate of our (Muslim) rights. The Muslim community is being subjected to an arbitrary and unreasonable exclusion without any lawful justification. We are compelled to hold prayer in the yard instead of the chapel, which violates our constitutional rights of religious freedom, and denies us equal protection of the laws. 488 U.S. 1047 (1989); Thomas V. Gunter, 32 F. 3d 1258, 1260 (8th Cir. 1994). I ask MIM to assist the Muslim community at SVSP with whatever assistance that can be provided. Call and complain please.
- a California prisoner, July 2005
MIM adds: Protests can be made to Warden Mike Evans at (831) 678-5500 or 31625 Highway 101, Soledad, CA 93960. Send copies of protest letters to MIM.