Just out from the Fourth Circuit. The case involves claims asserted by a person deaf since birth regarding the right to be provided with an interpreter by the Bureau of Prisons. While the majority of the opinion deals with the right to an interpreter in connection with medical appointments, appellant also claimed a violation under the First Amendment and RFRA since he claimed he could not attend (or understand) religious services without an interpreter. The district court granted BOP summary judgment on the religion claims on the ground that they were moot based upon the promise of the BOP to provide an interpreter for religious services upon request in the future. The Fourth Circuit disagreed and held that the issue was not moot based upon the BOP change in position during the litigation. The First Amendment and RFRA claims (along with others) have been remanded for trial. http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/Opinions/Published/156826.P.pdf Will Esser
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