Posted on 05/27/2005 10:28:15 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
A day after a Muslim woman filed a lawsuit against the Department of Corrections alleging its policy banning headscarves worn by prison visitors violated her religious freedom, the department secretary said he will change the policy.
Corrections Secretary Matthew Frank said after reviewing the complaint filed in federal court on behalf of Cynthia D. Rhouni of Madison, that he was ordering staff to change visitor headwear policy.
"We can and will make sure that our visitors have the right to practice their religion," Frank said.
The secretary said he wasn't aware of the policy that banned visitor headwear, although it was adopted by the Division of Adult Institutions on Jan. 3, 2003, the day he was sworn in as secretary.
Frank wouldn't comment on whether the old policy violated Rhouni's constitutional rights or how soon the new policy would be implemented. He said only that it would come "in the near future."
Security will not be compromised by the policy change because the ban on gang logos and insignia will remain, Frank said, adding that the change is "directed at respecting religious beliefs of visitors."
Rhouni's attorney, David Lasker, said Rhouni was "very, very pleased" to learn of Frank's announcement and was "a little proud of herself for making a stand and having it make an impact so quickly."
Lasker said he wasn't surprised by the prompt announcement because the policy was "unsupportable." He added that Gov. Jim Doyle and Frank are known to be sensitive to these kinds of issues.
While the announcement resolves part of the suit, Lasker said the compensation for Rhouni's "humiliation" at having to remove her headscarf at the Columbia Correctional Institution's visitor room has not been settled.
Yep. Anything Madison can do to welcome Illegals, Muslims, and Gays to our town and make them comfortable is always the best choice. *Rolleyes*
Well, they keep our prisons full, anyway. Had her husband been a law-abiding citizen, she wouldn't have gotten to scam us out of a bunch of money (pending) for her great HUMILIATION!
I think a ban on headscarves makes sense. It would an ideal place to smuggle something into the prison.
Makes me sick how our government is bending over backwards for these people. Yet Christians can't pray before a football game or graduation ceremony. Can't have the Ten Commandments any where in public. The Muslims' plans are coming along just as they have planned.
But Rosary Beads and Stars of David are banned because they could be "Gang" insignias?
The muzzie handbook for global conquest includes chapters on frivolous lawsuits. Too bad our judiciary is as clueless as the evening news watching general public.
Me too. Cave, cave, cave.
Appeasement never works.
And we will get to the point when it is too late.
>>Gov. Jim Doyle and Frank are known to be sensitive to these kinds of issues."<<
They should run for President! Nice compassionate fellows is what us voters want for America. /sarcasm!
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