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July 30, 2007

Convicted killer will get to conduct religious services

PROVIDENCE -- A convicted killer banned from preaching at the state prison will be able to conduct religious services again under a settlement announced today.

Wesley Spratt had preached in prison for about seven years after receiving what he said was a ``calling'' from God. A new warden barred him from preaching in 2003, saying it was dangerous for inmates to be given positions of authority.

A federal appeals court this year ruled in Spratt's favor and sent the case to U.S. District Court in Providence for a resolution.

As part of the settlement, the corrections department has adopted a new policy that permits inmates to lead religious services under the supervision of a prison chaplain.

The department also acknowledged that its blanket ban on preaching had infringed on Spratt's right to practice religion in prison.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 2:59 PM | Permalink

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