Marina Volz, born Matthew Volz, is currently serving a 25-year sentence after being convicted of sex crimes against his own seven-year-old daughter.
A transgender-identifying New Jersey inmate convicted of sexually abusing his 7-year-old daughter is seeking a settlement with the New Jersey Department of Corrections after filing a lawsuit alleging officials denied him access to Wiccan religious accommodations while incarcerated in a women’s prison.
Marina Volz, born Matthew Volz, is serving a 25-year sentence after being convicted of sex crimes against his own seven-year-old daughter. Volz was sentenced in May of 2022 and initially housed at a men’s facility.
Two months later, he was transferred to a women’s correctional facility. State records reportedly continued listing Volz as male until 2023, when New Jersey updated the inmate’s profile to classify Volz as female.
Volz later filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New Jersey Department of Corrections, alleging violations of religious freedom related to Wiccan beliefs. According to a report from Reduxx, Volz claimed the head of religious services at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility denied multiple requested accommodations, including maintaining a “Witch’s Garden” for growing “sacred herbs.” Volz also sought permission to conduct nighttime rituals while wearing a cloak or while nude.
The trans-identifying inmate has now entered settlement negotiations and reportedly submitted 12 demands as part of the proposed agreement. Among the requests are permission to conduct Wiccan ceremonies outdoors while nude and designation as a Wiccan religious leader within the prison.
Volz also reportedly requested permission to marry Ashley Romero, a co-defendant in the underlying criminal case who is also incarcerated.
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