Montana Women's Prison settles discrimination complaint by Jehovah's Witness
The state has agreed to pay a portion of an inmate’s attorney fees and have a warden undergo training on religion rights to settle a discrimination claim.
May Simmons, an inmate at the Montana Women’s Prison, settled with the Department of Corrections in October, and a copy of the agreement was released this week.
Simmons had alleged the prison discriminated against her by failing to grant her full access to worship services as a Jehovah’s Witness.
After reviewing the claim, the Montana Human Rights Bureau found the department likely violated the law by denying Simmons use of the prison chapel while permitting its use for other religions.
Officials with the Department of Corrections admit no violation of the law and signed the agreement in order to “buy their peace and resolve this case without further proceedings,” the settlement states.
The agreement requires the department to pay $4,400 in attorney fees for Simmons’ attorney, Eric Holm, and to pay $1,000 to Simmons. READ MORE: