O'Lone v. Estate of Shabazz (1987) held that prison officials may limit religious practices if?

• A. There are security concerns that justify the limitation
• B. They must always allow all religious practices
• C. They can restrict only religious dietary practices
• D. They can limit only if the prisoner consents

Answer: (A)

Religious rights in prison are balanced against safety and order. O'Lone v. Estate of Shabazz shows that authorities may limit religious practices when there are legitimate security concerns that justify the restriction. The court uses a reasonableness standard: if the policy is reasonably related to a legitimate penological objective, it’s permissible, even if it affects religious exercise. It doesn’t require allowing every practice, nor does it hinge on prisoners’ consent, and it isn’t limited to dietary rules. In the O’Lone case, restrictions on attending the weekly Muslim prayer service were upheld because security and orderly management of the prison provided a legitimate justification.