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Sikh inmate alleges rights' violation
Sikh inmate Jagmohan Ahuja accused officers at the Duval County site of forcibly cutting him hair and shaving his face despite his opposition on grounds such activities violated his religious rights, WJXT-TV of Jacksonville, Fla., said Sunday.
United Sikhs member Jaspreet Singh, whose religious group protested the center Sunday in support of Ahuja, concurred that the officers' alleged actions were in direct conflict with Sikh beliefs.
"It's completely against our religion to cut any hair on your body as it's an integral part of your body," he told WJXT.
A spokeswoman for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office defended the haircut and shave, saying the actions were required under current center security policies.
"It is required that all sentenced inmates have short hair and not wear head covering in order to prevent hiding contraband and/or weapons," spokeswoman Lauri-Ellen Smith said.
WJXT said Ahuja, 36, is being held at the corrections center on charges including a probation violation and violating a protective order.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International.
This news arrived on: 10/07/2008
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Posted Comments:
10-08-2008 08:59
THIS IS NOT RELIGOUS NEWS wrote:
THIS IS NOT RELIGOUS NEWS
THIS IS NOT RELIGOUS NEWS He is the sinner cut his hair now.....
10-07-2008 22:15
Luna wrote:
I would like to know if women in Florida prisons have to cut their long hair too....
10-07-2008 19:21
Just Me wrote:
I'm surprised that the spokeswoman did not state the other reason hair is cut when entering prison. It is to control the spread of lice.
When men and women enter the armed services of the United States, they are also required to have their hair cut. This is not just a rights issue, but also a health issue. Also, when you enter prison, you forfeit your rights. That is part of the nature of being punished for commiting a crime. A Corrections Center is Prison, not jail. While it is true that you could be in jail, as an innocent person, having not commited a crime, but waiting for trial, the same cannot be said for prison. You only go to prison after it has been proven that you commited the crime of which you were accused. As far as I know, they do not require hair to be cut when in jail.
When men and women enter the armed services of the United States, they are also required to have their hair cut. This is not just a rights issue, but also a health issue. Also, when you enter prison, you forfeit your rights. That is part of the nature of being punished for commiting a crime. A Corrections Center is Prison, not jail. While it is true that you could be in jail, as an innocent person, having not commited a crime, but waiting for trial, the same cannot be said for prison. You only go to prison after it has been proven that you commited the crime of which you were accused. As far as I know, they do not require hair to be cut when in jail.
10-07-2008 15:12
WILL wrote:
SIKH RIGHTS
When one commits a crime, one gives up his rights. Religion is too often used to hide behind by the criminal. Religion doesn't give one the right to commit crimes.
10-07-2008 15:10
Leslee in Canada wrote:
Rights?
This man has already committed crimes because he is on parole. Although if he has served time, how can his hair be long enough to be a problem? (I'm just sayin'....)
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