An inmate who practices Wicca has filed a federal civil rights suit, claiming Bedford County jail officials are violating his religious rights by forbidding him to practice his religion.
"If it has spells in it, I'm not allowed to have it," Charles Risenburg, 27, of Saxton, said in the lawsuit. He is not seeking any monetary damages, only to be able to practice his religion and receive vegetarian meals.
Wicca is based on respect for the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons. Wiccans consider themselves witches, pagans or neo-pagans.
But Sheriff Gordon Diehl said he isn't going to let anyone practice something that, in his mind, could be akin to intimidation.
"His tarot cards, oils, pentagrams and books all have spells in them," Diehl said. "He was trying to cast spells with his pentagrams, and he even made his own magic wand."
Risenburg is serving a 23 1/2-month sentence for a parole violation stemming from bad checks and theft charges, according to jail officials. His sentence ends Dec. 1.
The American Civil Liberties Union said it is unlikely to come to Risenburg's rescue, though it believes prisoners should be free to practice their chosen religion so long as security is not in jeopardy.
Though he said he didn't know enough about the case, Larry Frankel, executive director of the ACLU in Pennsylvania, said the jail may be overreacting.
"It's hard for me to understand why they would really care," he said.
Diehl said two inmates are self-proclaimed Wiccans, although Risenburg is the most outspoken.
Risenburg claims the jail is violating his religious principles by refusing to serve vegetarian meals, insisting he doesn't want to eat animals that are killed.
Diehl said special meals are served for religious or health reasons.
"We serve special meals to Muslims for Ramadan," he said.
Diehl said Risenburg filed a grievance last week when carolers from a church sang in between cellblocks.
"He went into his cell to try to keep from hearing God songs," Diehl said.