Inmates at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in New York have filed a lawsuit against the state corrections department over the decision to lock down prisons during next Monday's total solar eclipse. The suit, filed in federal court in upstate New York, argues that the April 8 lockdown violates inmates' constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from taking part in a religiously significant event. The plaintiffs, including a Baptist, a Muslim, a Seventh-Day Adventist, two practitioners of Santeria, and an atheist, claim that the solar eclipse has great religious significance to many, with references in both the Bible and sacred Islamic texts.

One of the named plaintiffs, an atheist, had received special permission last month to view the eclipse with state-provided glasses, but that was before the system-wide lockdown was issued. The other plaintiffs sought permission but were denied by officials who ruled the solar eclipse is not listed as a holy day for their religions. The inmates argue that the eclipse should warrant gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer. The corrections department spokesperson stated that requests for religious accommodations related to viewing the eclipse are currently under review.

The acting commissioner of the department announced that all state correctional facilities will operate on a holiday schedule next Monday, with incarcerated individuals remaining in their housing units except for emergencies from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be no visitation at nearly two dozen prisons in the path of totality, with visitation at other facilities ending at 2 p.m. The department will distribute solar eclipse safety glasses for staff and inmates at prisons in the path of totality so they can view the eclipse from their assigned locations. The total eclipse is expected to be seen in parts of New York around 3:15 p.m., turning day into night for mere minutes as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun.