Bunny v. Coughlin

OPINION OF THE COURT

Lawrence E. Kahn, J.

This CPLR article 78 proceeding has been commenced by *669petitioner who practices the Rastafari religion. It seeks to enjoin the Commissioner of the State Department of Correctional Services from denying petitioner the right to wear a religious crown. It also seeks to require respondent to provide petitioner with a diet that is consistent with his religious principles.

Petitioner asserts that respondent has abused his discretion by infringing on his right to exercise his religious beliefs. He asserts that respondent’s regulations are arbitrary and…