Larson v. Cooper

OPINION

EASTAUGH, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

Does a prison violate a maximum security prisoner’s constitutional rights by limiting his physical contact with his wife to a brief kiss and embrace at the beginning and end of her visits? In S-10327, we hold that the free exercise of religion clause of the federal constitution does not require the prison to allow hand-holding, kissing, and embracing throughout the visit, because we conclude that the visitation rules are reasonably related to legitimate penological objectives. We also hold that the free exercise clause of the Alaska Constitution does…