A Manx-born prisoner serving a life sentence in a California Prison claims he is being discriminated against because he is a druid.

Morgan James Kane moved to America as a child, and is serving his sentence in a state prison after admitting murdering a man in Fresno with cyanide in 1984.

The 54-year-old says his pagan beliefs have brought him into conflict with prison officials and claims he is being singled out because of them.

In an interview with an American newspaper, he says he isn't given time for worship in the same way as prisoners with other faiths.

Jason Roberts reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Mr Kane says his neopagan beliefs celebrate the divinity of nature, but he doesn't get access to chapel time like inmates of mainstream religions, and claims prison staff target him for his faith.

He says he has been barred from worshipping with other pagan inmates or buying religious books using prison chaplaincy money.

Mr Kane claims Druidry, which he teaches other inmates, gives him a sense of purpose and cultural heritage as he serves his sentence.

But a spokesman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says the prison system accommodates all faith groups.