No Headscarves at Delco Prison

A Philadelphia federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the prison system -- Muslim women employed at the Delaware County Prison may not wear their religious headscarves while working.
 
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the lower-court's ruling Monday reasoning that any drifting from the prison's dress code would cause "hardship by compromising its institutional security and safety," reports the Inky.
 
In 2005, a company hired by the county to run the prison, required that all employees wear only the official uniform – no headscarves or hats.

After the ban was implemented, Carmen Sharpe-Allen, a nurse, was fired for refusing to remove her khimar (headscarf).

Prison officials had argued – and many agreed -- that baseball hats, headscarves and other head coverings make it difficult to identify people and can be used to hide drugs and other contraband.

They did say it a close call, but said the prison's need for order trumped the women's right to wear the religious attire at work.

"The EEOC has an enviable history of taking steps to enforce the prohibition against religious discrimination in many forms," Third Circuit Judge Dolores K. Sloviter wrote. "On the other hand . . . a prison is not a summer camp and prison officials have the unenviable task of preserving order in difficult circumstances."
 
An EEOC spokeswoman said that while they are disappointed with the decision, they will continue to review their options.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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