Inmates at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne, New York have filed a lawsuit against the state corrections department, alleging that the decision to implement a lockdown during the upcoming total solar eclipse violates their constitutional rights to practice their faiths. The suit was filed in federal court in upstate New York on Friday.

The lawsuit, brought by six incarcerated individuals with diverse religious backgrounds, argues that the April 8 lockdown prevents them from participating in a religiously significant event. The plaintiffs include a Baptist, a Muslim, a Seventh-Day Adventist, two practitioners of Santeria, and an atheist.

According to the complaint, a solar eclipse holds great religious significance for many faiths. Citing religious texts, the lawsuit mentions that the Bible describes an eclipse-like event during Jesus' crucifixion, and sacred Islamic works describe a similar occurrence when the Prophet Muhammad's son passed away. The plaintiffs argue that these celestial events warrant gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer.

The lawsuit further states that one of the named plaintiffs, an atheist, had previously been granted permission to view the eclipse using state-provided glasses. However, the subsequent system-wide lockdown prevented the other four plaintiffs from seeking permission to participate. Officials denied their requests, stating that the solar eclipse was not listed as a holy day for their respective religions. The sixth inmate claims to have never received a response.

Responding to the lawsuit, Thomas Mailey, a spokesperson for the corrections department, declined to comment on pending litigation, but acknowledged that all requests for religious accommodations are carefully considered. Mailey added that requests related to viewing the eclipse are currently under review.

In a memo issued on March 11, Daniel Martuscello III, the acting commissioner of the corrections department, announced that all state correctional facilities would operate on a holiday schedule on the day of the solar eclipse. As a result of this schedule, incarcerated individuals would be confined to their housing units, except for emergency situations, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - the usual hours for outdoor recreation in prisons.

In addition, nearly two dozen prisons in the path of totality will not allow visitation on the day of the eclipse, while visitation at other correctional facilities will end at 2 p.m. However, the corrections department has stated that it will provide solar eclipse safety glasses to staff and incarcerated individuals at prisons located in the path of totality, enabling them to view the eclipse from their assigned work locations or housing units.

The total solar eclipse is expected to be visible in parts of western and northern New York, including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Lake Placid, and Plattsburgh, starting around 3:15 p.m. and lasting only a few minutes. The moon's passage between the Earth and the sun will momentarily block the sun's light, resulting in a temporary darkness during the daytime.

As the lawsuit unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will address the inmates' claims of constitutional violations and religious freedom.

Overall, the case brings attention to the complexities that arise when balancing institutional security and inmate rights, particularly during exceptional celestial events such as a total solar eclipse.