American Indians, Hair and Prison
Male American Indians incarcerated in Alabama’s prisons want the right to grow their hair long according to their tribal religious customs.
It will be up to U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles S. Coody to decide whether they have it. The decision will be the most recent ruling in a legal battle that American Indians have been waging with the state Department of Corrections for the past 15 years. The Indian inmates contend they should be able to practice their religious beliefs in the same manner as inmates of other religious persuasions. They believe the practice of their beliefs has been stifled by the department’s policy of requiring all male inmates to keep their hair short. Testimony on the grooming policy ended Friday, and the case has been turned over to Coody for consideration. A ruling is expected soon.
Alabama is one of 12 mostly Southern states that prohibit inmates from wearing long hair while incarcerated. The rest of the United States and the District of Columbia either permit inmates to grow their hair long for religious reasons or have no rule against it, according to a survey that has been admitted as evidence in the case. Of the 25,303 inmates in state prisons, 195 are Native American …
According to a pretrial order, the state’s main argument against the practice is that long hair poses a threat to “prison security, safety, health and hygiene … and public safety.” Keeping male inmates hair short also aids in identifying inmates, particularly in escape situations. It also helps prevent hiding contraband, stops inmates from grabbing hair during fights, and keeps it from getting caught in machinery or doors, according to the order. The plaintiffs dispute these justifications in their lawsuit.
Recent Comments