Prisoner Punished For Refusing Haircut
by TChris
Billy Warsoldier, a Native American member of the Cahuilla tribe, doesn't want to cut his hair. Warsoldier's religious beliefs prevent him from getting a haircut until someone in his family dies. But Warsoldier is serving a 19 month sentence for drunk driving, and the California Department of Corrections has a policy that prohibits male inmates from having hair longer than three inches.
Since the policy applies only to men, it is difficult to believe that security needs justify the policy. The ACLU is helping Warsoldier challenge the policy as a violation of his right to freely exercise his religion. In the meantime, prison authorities are denying privileges to Warsoldier, including visits and vocational training, until he submits to a haircut.
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