Six inmates at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in upstate New York will be able to witness the upcoming total solar eclipse after reaching a settlement with the state's corrections department. The inmates, who filed a federal lawsuit last week, argued that the prison's lockdown during the celestial event infringed upon their constitutional rights to practice their respective religions.

The lawsuit, representing a diverse group of religious beliefs including a Baptist, a Muslim, a Seventh-Day Adventist, two practitioners of Santeria, and an atheist, demanded that the inmates be permitted to witness the eclipse in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs. Their lawyers emphasized the significance of the event as a religious observance.

In response to the suit, Thomas Mailey, spokesperson for the corrections department, announced on Thursday that an agreement had been reached. The department will allow the six individuals to view the solar eclipse, and in return, the plaintiffs have agreed to drop their lawsuit with prejudice. Mailey described the resolution as appropriate and added that the department had been reviewing all requests for religious accommodations, including those related to viewing the eclipse.

The corrections department will now distribute solar eclipse safety glasses to both staff and inmates in prisons located within the path of totality. This will enable them to safely observe the eclipse from their assigned work locations or housing units. The best viewing conditions are expected in the western and northern areas of New York.

The total solar eclipse, in which the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily blocking sunlight, is set to occur next Monday. The settlement provides a unique opportunity for these incarcerated individuals to participate in a religiously significant event, highlighting the importance of upholding constitutional rights within the prison system.

This case serves as a reminder that accommodations for religious observances should be considered, even in correctional facilities. The successful resolution ensures that these six inmates will be able to witness the extraordinary phenomenon of a total solar eclipse, allowing them to exercise their faiths and participate in a shared experience.