In November 2023, the ACLU of Alaska filed a class-action lawsuit against the Alaska Department of Corrections for religious discrimination against a practicing Muslim man in custody at Anchorage Correctional Complex (ACC).
William ‘Jamal’ Gary, is a practicing Muslim who has been in pre-trial custody at ACC since February 2022. ACC staff refused him permission to wear his kufi and withheld medical treatment for a broken hand for his refusal to remove his kufi. ACC staff also refused to accommodate his prayer needs and have made repeated anti-Muslim comments towards Gary. Read more about the class-action lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Alaska on behalf of Gary.
Additionally, the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights is seeking other reports of individuals who have experienced religious discrimination while incarcerated at an Alaska jail or prison or individuals who have not been allowed to practice religion while incarcerated in an Alaska jail or prison. Submit a report here.
The Commission for Human Rights has two phone lines that people can call to report instances of religious discrimination:
907-274-4692
800-478-4692 (toll free)
Additionally, reports can submitted online here. All reports are confidential (including on prison lines) and independent of the Department of Corrections.
The Department of Corrections is required by law to uphold the constitutional rights of incarcerated Alaskans. We encourage people who have experienced religious discrimination in Alaska prisons and jails to submit a report to the Commission for Human Rights.
