William F. Higgins v. J. Burroughs Lieutenant Dietrich Pasquale Baron and Charles H. Zimmerman

OPINION OF THE COURT

GARTH, Circuit Judge:

William Higgins, a prisoner in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Graterford State Correctional Institute (SCIG), was prohibited by a state prison regulation from carrying his rosary beads into the prison visiting area. During the years of his confinement, Higgins had carried his rosary beads in his trouser pockets. In that fashion he had carried them with him into all areas of the prison, including the visiting area.

In October 1984, new trousers were issued to the prisoners. The trousers had no pockets. Higgins therefore carried his rosary beads in…