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June 7, 2006

Judge blocks convict from jailhouse preaching

A federal judge has upheld a prison rule barring a convicted killer from preaching at jailhouse services.

Wesley Spratt has been imprisoned at the maximum security wing of the state prison in Cranston since he was convicted of fatally shooting a parking lot attendant a decade ago.

He began preaching seven years ago during Christian services at a prison chapel and cafeteria -- saying he was spurred by a religious calling.

A new warden eventually banned Spratt from preaching, saying it's dangerous to put prisoners in positions of authority.

Spratt sued, saying that the warden violated a federal law granting religious rights to prisoners.

Judge William Smith today ruled the preaching ban is legal because it serves a compelling government interest -- maintaining prison security.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 12:56 PM | Permalink

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