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Federal Jury Awards $667,000 to Muslim Inmates Pepper-Sprayed While Praying in Missouri Prison

A federal jury on Monday awarded $667,000 in damages in eastern Missouri's U.S. District Court, ruling for the eight Muslim men on all counts.
Facing initial conduct charges, the eight men prayed together after the prison chapel was locked during the COVID-19 pandemic, with charges later reduced to minor violations.
Correctional officers handcuffed, pepper-sprayed and placed the men in solitary confinement while they were praying in their housing unit; those in solitary at the 2,684-bed Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center lacked soap or running water and some used toilet water to wash off the spray.
The Missouri Department of Corrections did not immediately comment Monday, while Nadia Bayado, attorney for the plaintiffs with the CAIR Legal Defense Fund, said 'Being a Muslim in America should not lead to one being subjected to excessive force or religious persecution.'
After the Feb. 28, 2021 incident, the eight men were found guilty, released from segregation on March 10, 2021, and the 2023 civil lawsuit was filed, prompting the settlement.

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A federal jury awards $667K to Muslim men who were pepper-sprayed by prison guards while praying

A federal jury has awarded $667,000 in damages to a group of incarcerated Muslim men in Missouri who were pepper-sprayed by state correctional officers while praying.

16 hours ago·United States

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