01-2982 Tarpley v. Allen County

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“[T]he jail’s policy with respect to reading materials is reasonably related to the general interest in maintaining safe conditions and in preventing later disputes over lost or damaged items. These are well-established legitimate government concerns. See O’Lone, 482 U.S. at 348. Second, the jail furnished Tarpley with alternative reading materials-indeed, the very version of the Bible he wanted-even though it was not a perfect substitute because it lacked the commentary.”

“There was no way that the jail could allow Tarpley to keep a personal book without compromising its general policy of avoiding disruption among inmates over ownership disputes. Because Tarpley did not demonstrate that the jail’s general regulation with respect to reading materials, as applied here, unreasonably failed to accommodate his religious needs, we agree with the district court that summary judgment was appropriate for the defendants on this claim.”

Affirmed.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Lee, J., Wood, J.