Certain policy changes are on the way for the Lexington Division of Community Corrections. These changes address concerns about expressing religious beliefs.
Nearly a month ago, the Lexington Division of Community Corrections was contacted by the Council on American-Islamic Affairs or CAIR. A woman had been arrested in Lexington and was required to remove her hijab, or religious headwear during the booking process. The woman’s lawyer contacted CAIR, who asked Corrections Chief Colonel Scott Colvin to make some changes. Which he says he has done…
“Consider policy revisions that would accommodate these strongly held religious beliefs. I committed to that review, conducted it, I’ve completed it and I’ve made the policy revisions.”
Colonel Colvin said after having a conversation with the Council, and looking at examples of what other cities do, he was sure he could make the changes.
“In a sense of inclusiveness and respect for one’s strongly held religious beliefs, balanced against the law enforcement mission of the facility and the institutional safety requirements, I found I was able to accommodate the four things that the council was asking for.”
The changes include: Allowing religious head coverings, if religion clothing needs to be removed for security reasons, that will be done in front of a corrections officer who is the same gender, and those who are detained can wear religious clothing in booking photos as long as their face is visible.
Edward Ahmed Mitchell is the Deputy Executive Director of CAIR. He says this is an important step in making sure people experience religious freedom.
“In America, religious freedom does not end at the walls of the jail or a prison. Christians, Muslims, Jews, and others still have the right to practice their faith while in custody. That is guaranteed by, not only the Constitution, but by specific, federal laws.”
Colonel Colvin expects policy revisions to be finalized within the next 30 days and implemented immediately.
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