Sikh group fights for US convicts to be able to keep long hair
Thu, September 18 2008
United Sikhs, a U.S.-based advocacy group, which termed the July incident involving Ahuja as “gross violation” of religious rights, has started a signature campaign in favour of the right for Sikh prisoners to keep ‘kesh’ (unshorn hair).
United Sikhs said in a statement that its members and lawyers are approaching Florida governor and officials of Duval County jail in Jacksonville as part of their campaign.
Though the Federal Bureau of Prisons and other states allow Sikhs to retain their hair covered by a turban, Duval County jail and the Sheriff department have taken a strong stand against it.
“We cannot do so if religious practices compromise the security and safety of correctional facilities,” said Sheriff office spokeswoman Lauri-Ellen Smith. “It is required that all sentenced inmates have short hair and not wear head covering in order to prevent hiding contraband and/or weapons.”
“We’re well within our rights to cut his hair and we will continue to do so,” Assistant Chief Redman of the Duval jail added, referring to Ahuja.
United Sikhs’ staff attorney, Jaspreet Singh, voiced concern that Ahuja’s hair will be cut again in the near future.
“It is deeply disturbing that the jail would refuse to make any accommodation where examples exist in other ostensibly more secure prisons,” he said.
United Sikhs said they are working aggressively on a possible in-court solution, but the current law is not favourable to Ahuja’s position.
The Sikh body claims “excellent initial response” to its petition with over 2,200 signatures online and over 300 on the ground in Florida.
