ACLU of Nebraska Statement on Marriage Case Involving Prisoners Sent Back to District Court

LINCOLN, Neb – Today the Nebraska Supreme Court sent a case involving two Nebraska prisoners seeking marriage down to a lower court for additional review. Paul Gillpatrick and Niccole Wetherell are both incarcerated in Nebraska correctional facilities. They are suing the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, Director Michael Kenney, and two wardens over their enforcement of a Nebraska prison policy which places an undue burden on the Constitutional right of the couple to get married.

ACLU of Nebraska Executive Danielle Conrad had the following response:

“Our clients are simply asking for the ability to marry. Their case will now return to the lower court. Our clients look forward to their day in court to affirm the clear precedent from the United States Supreme Court that states, ‘Inmate marriages, like others, are expressions of emotional support and public commitment.’ The ACLU will continue to fight for the fundamental rights of all Nebraskans and to ensure prisoners in Nebraska are not deprived of their humanity and Constitutional rights.”

A copy of this statement and court documents are online here: https://www.aclunebraska.org/en/press-releases/aclu-nebraska-statement-marriage-case-involving-prisoners-sent-back-district-court