Dhimmi Watch: Prisons change headwear policy in response to Muslim suit

May 27, 2005

Prisons change headwear policy in response to Muslim suit

In News from Wisconsin's Baraboo News Republic, "Prisons to change headwear policy" with thanks to Two Stellas.

MADISON - Wisconsin Secretary of Corrections Matthew Frank is ordering a change in the department's headwear policy for prison visitors, just one day after a Muslim woman sued his department in U.S. District Court for allegedly violating her religious beliefs by forcing her to remove a headscarf during a visit.
Frank said Thursday his order was directly prompted by the claim filed by 43-year-old Cynthia Rhouni, a Madison woman who visited her husband at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage in February 2003. As Rhouni checked in for her visit, two male guards forced Rhouni to remove her headscarf, or hijab, despite her pleas to let a female guard conduct an inspection of her hijab to prove she wasn't carrying any contraband.

Frank said he was "very concerned about the allegations," and said he ordered the change without thinking about its impact on the lawsuit.

"I just think it's the right thing to do," Frank said.

The department-wide policy at issue in the lawsuit took effect in January 2003, Frank said. "As part of that policy, there was a provision that went into effect that said, among other things, hats and headgear are not allowed. That policy did not specifically address headwear that may be worn as part of someone's religious beliefs," he continued.

"It's certainly not our intent in any way to discriminate against anyone based on their religious beliefs," Frank said. Department policies are intended to provide a safe and secure facility for inmates, staff and visitors, he said...

Posted by Rebecca at May 27, 2005 10:29 AM
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Well then, what about the Hindus and especially The Church of What's Happening Now?

This crap has got to stop!

Posted by: a10billr

at May 27, 2005 11:32 AM

""It's certainly not our intent in any way to discriminate against anyone based on their religious beliefs," Frank said. Department policies are intended to provide a safe and secure facility for inmates, staff and visitors, he said..."bowing and scraping before his masters WTH is wrong with these people? If this was anyone else they would tell them to take a hike!

Posted by: Carolyn2

at May 27, 2005 12:20 PM

and Mr. R was in the slammer for???

Posted by: waterdragon52

at May 27, 2005 12:55 PM

I would imagine that hijabs and burqas are very nice places to hide knives and other weapons in.

Just a thought.

Posted by: Suzan

at May 27, 2005 2:49 PM

This same scam was used in Canada,Customs Agents came under attack for asking Muslim females wearing head coverings to remove them
to match the Passport Photo to their ID claims.
First they cry was that it's offensive to remove it infront of non-Muslims in public,then it was removing it in private while a male was in the room,the fact that a female Customs agent is now
used to do the job in private just didn't placate the die-hard Islamists.
CAIR launched a National campaign of Racial profiling and human rights violations for
even ASKING for the Hijab or Burqa to be removed,our Prime Ministered bowed down to the God of Muslims and ordered the Security forces to stop this injustice and racism.

The Airport where this occured has connecting flights to the USA and now the Jihadists have found the soft part of Canada's belly and CAIR
just opened the door to another mass murder by
Muslim terrorists that aren't "True" Muslims but still Muslims.

Posted by: ala-sux

at May 27, 2005 7:53 PM

What ever happened to:

"Take off the headscarf or take a hike!"

Or:

"If you don't like the rules, ma'am, you can stay home."

Sloooooow suicide...

Posted by: BigSleep

at May 28, 2005 12:53 AM

What next? Identity photos taken in full burqa - complete body cover with only the eyes visible? And if you try to get them to uncover the face? Violation of religious rights? Even the Amish will shake his head and say "Idioto".

Posted by: skidd

at May 28, 2005 10:46 PM