Substance use was not a factor in his offense, but Miller was enrolled in the program because he is in recovery from addiction. Miller is serving a one- to 10-year, nondeterminative sentence for breaking and entering. The suit claimed Miller encountered “religious coercion” in June 2021 when he entered the Pleasants County correctional facility. Miller filed suit in a federal district court in April alleging the state is forcing Christianity on incarcerated people and has failed to accommodate repeated requests to honor his lack of belief in God. The agency did not return a request for comment Thursday. Goodwin issued a preliminary injunction requiring West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials to remove completion of a state-run and federally-funded residential substance abuse program from Miller’s parole eligibility requirements. He can either “submit to government coercion and engage in religious exercise at odds with his own beliefs,” or “remain incarcerated until at least April 2025.” Miller to choose between two distinct but equally irreparable injuries,” the judge wrote. The state’s “unmitigated actions force Mr.
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