Wisconsin Will Liberalize Restrictions on Prison Visitors

Wisconsin has responded quickly to a suit filed by a Muslim woman who was forced to remove her headscarf (hijab) in order to visit an inmate in a Wisconsin prison. (See prior posting). The Baraboo News Republic reports today that one day after the suit was filed, the Department of Corrections has decided to change its policy. The Wisconsin Secretary of Corrections said it was never their intent to discriminate against someone because of religious beliefs when this security measure designed to prevent the hiding of contraband was put into place. Originally the woman visitor had offered to permit a female guard to search her headscarf, but this alternative was refused.