State settles with inmates who sued to watch eclipse

Inmates will be allowed to watch eclipse after settlement

Inmates will be allowed to watch eclipse after settlement

The state has reached a settlement with a group of six inmates who had sued to be able to watch the eclipse outdoors.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision had ordered inmates to remain inside their housing units or assigned work location during Monday’s eclipse, which will take place in the afternoon.

However, the inmates of different faith backgrounds had sued because they said that DOCCS was infringing on their constitutional rights to practice their religion by not allowing them to watch the celestial event outside.

On Thursday, the plaintiff filed a notice of discontinuance in U.S. District Court.

The prisoners have settled with the state and will get to watch the eclipse, according to the Times Union, which was first to report the story.