Thomas Lynch fighting for $10,000 in damages after allegedly being denied access to prison church

A man who found God in a Territory cell has claimed he has been denied his religious rights. Here’s why Corrections has called for the $10,000 case to be thrown out.

Thomas Lynch has taken the NT Correctional Services department to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal, claiming the department violated the Anti Discrimination Act and the Correctional Services Act.

A man who found god while locked in a Territory prison cell is suing Corrections for more than $10,000 after he was allegedly denied access to church.

Thomas Lynch has taken the NT Correctional Services department to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal, claiming the department violated the Anti Discrimination Act and the Correctional Services Act.

Mr Lynch claimed the prison had restricted his access to church services and religious material.

In tribunal documents dated from September 25, Mr Lynch said he was seeking “relief from discrimination” and more than $10,000 as compensation.

Mr Lynch also claimed that Corrections provided “inaccurate and misleading information” to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, which led to his complaint being dismissed by the watchdog.

Mr Lynch claimed he had been restricted from accessing religious material.

In their written response the NT Solicitor’s office called Mr Lynch’s application “frivolous, vexatious or improper proceedings” and called for it to be thrown out.

Lawyer Simon Wiese said the prison had allowed Mr Lynch to practice his religion, even supporting his enrolment in Theological Certificate studies.

Mr Wiese said the Sector 5 prisoner had been allowed to access a bible and related texts as part of his education, and Mr Lynch was able to keep the religious text in his personal property.

He said the prisoner was also able to “interact with other prisoners in his sector who share his religious beliefs”.

However, Mr Wiese said that due to Mr Lynch’s current security classification, the prisoner had to apply to leave the Sector 5 wing to attend religious services.

The prison has approved his request to transfer to a different accommodation area once he has achieved a low-security classification, so Mr Lynch would no longer have to make an application to attend church.

Mr Lynch and the Corrections legal teams last faced NTCAT during a compulsory conference on December 14.

NT Courts said his next hearing will be listed after April 3, 2024.