A federal judge has rejected an inmate's request for a temporary restraining order as part of a lawsuit that accuses Nebraska prison officials of reneging on a 2005 agreement to accommodate Native American inmates' religious and cultural needs.
U.S. District Judge Warren Urbom rejected the request Friday.
In 2005, prison officials agreed to allow Native American inmates time for religious education and worship ceremonies and use traditional, ceremonial foods such as fry bread, buffalo, corn and "berry dish" in their ceremonies.
Inmate Michael Joseph Sims says in his lawsuit that state prison leaders have not allowed those ceremonial foods and have denied access to eagle feathers for ceremonial use, among other things.
