A sweat lodge could be coming to Benner state prison. Here’s what that means
A ceremonial sauna for Native Americans could be coming to Benner state prison.
Inmates Marvin Banks and Dale Arnold settled a federal civil rights lawsuit Tuesday with the state Department of Corrections, which cleared a path for a sweat lodge to be built on the prison’s grounds.
“The Native American spiritual community at this prison kind of felt like they were not getting all the same opportunities to practice as some of the other religions,” legal associate Logan Hetherington said. “... They just wanted a little bit more to practice their religion communally, which is really important for them.”
The sacred location for spiritual purification, reconciliation and prayer would be the only sweat lodge at any of the state’s 24 prisons.
Banks and Arnold, who both identify as Native Americans, each sued the DOC in 2019. Each argued the state prison system violated their First Amendment rights by not offering or allowing them to build a sweat lodge.
The DOC, which did not admit wrongdoing, declined to comment on the settlement.
“Religion really is still a big rehabilitative avenue for individuals that are incarcerated,” Hetherington said. “This is something that they really, really rely on to get them through their time there. It has really changed their lives.”
No taxpayer money is expected to be spent to build or maintain the lodge — that’s on Banks, Arnold and their fellow inmates — though the DOC is expected to use taxpayer money to build a fence around the lodge.
It’s unclear when the lodge may be built. The lodge may be discontinued if maintenance issues are not properly addressed, according to the 14-page settlement.
All inmates who hope to participate in the ceremony are required to be registered as a Native American. Ceremonies are set to occur at least four times annually, including at least once per season.
“This could be a step in the right direction for Native Americans that are practicing Native American religion within the DOC prisons,” Hetherington said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more movement in the future or similar claims related to Native American spirituality. Hopefully it’ll keep moving in the right direction.”
Arnold, 63, is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. He was convicted of killing a man in 1979 in Bradford County.
Banks, 28, is serving a 10- to 20-year sentence for robbery in Delaware County. He began serving his sentence in October 2017.