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Officials at the New Jersey State Prison have agreed to allow a Christian inmate to preach to fellow prisoners regularly.
Howard Thompson, Jr., an ordained Pentecostal minister, had been banned from conducting worship services since 2007.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed a lawsuit on Thompson's behalf, announced on Monday a settlement with prison officials that will restore the right of the inmate to preach.
"The decision by prison officials in New Jersey to allow Mr. Thompson to resume practicing his faith is a welcome acknowledgement that religious freedom in this country extends to all," said Daniel Mach, director of Litigation for the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. "The ban on prisoner preaching was clearly at odds with the law and the American value of religious liberty, and this decision was long overdue."
Thompson, who is serving 30 years to life for felony murder and robbery, entered the state prison in 1986 and has been an active member of the prison's Christian community, preaching at Sunday services, teaching Bible study classes and founding the choir, according to the ACLU. The chaplaincy staff supported Thompson and believed he was a positive influence on his fellow inmates.
The Christian inmate was ordained in 2000 during a service overseen by the prison's chaplain. Then in 2007, prison officials banned prisoners from preaching.
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In a statement, Thompson said, "The ban prevented me from responding to my religious calling to minister to my fellow inmates, something I had done honestly, effectively and without any incident for years."
"All I have ever wanted was to have my religious rights restored so that I could continue working with men who want to renew their lives through the study and practice of their faith," he said.
According to the settlement, sermons can be preached and Bible study lessons can be conducted under the supervision of a chaplaincy staff member or an approved volunteer ,and an outline of the messages must be provided for advance review and approval by the chaplain or volunteer.
