Matthews v. Morales

Kevin Deon Matthews appeals the district court’s dismissal of his suit alleging that § 32.22 of the Texas Family Code violates his free exercise of religion. Because we find that § 32.22 is logically connected to legitimate state penological concerns, we affirm.

I

Kevin Deon Matthews, an inmate incarcerated in the Texas state penitentiary, filed a pro se civil rights suit in federal district court. He argues that § 32.22 of the Texas Family Code 1 infringes his freedom of religion, equal protection and due process by restricting his ability to change his name. Matthews is an African-American…