Judge denies Muslim inmate's lawsuit over beard

[Nina~ 431]

Judge denies Muslim inmate's lawsuit over beard

(AP) – 2 hours ago

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia's prison system did not violate a Muslim inmate's religious rights when it refused to allow him to grow a 1/8-inch beard, which he believes is required by his religion, a federal judge has ruled.

William Couch, a 50-year-old Sunni Muslim, is a medium-security prisoner serving multiple life sentences for rape and other convictions. He challenged the Virginia Department of Corrections' grooming policy, which bans long hair and beards.

U.S. District Judge Samuel G. Wilson in Harrisonburg sided with the department in a ruling Thursday. Couch's attorney, Jeffrey Fogel, filed an appeal Monday.

Department spokesman Larry Traylor declined to comment on the case.

Fogel argued a 1/8-inch beard would be too short to allow Couch to easily change his appearance if he escaped or hide weapons or other contraband, which is why the department argues the policy is needed.

"There is no conceivable security issue for a Muslim, with concededly sincere beliefs, to grow a 1/8-inch beard," Fogel said Monday.

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[Jenn! 918]

unbelievable

[Nina~ 431]

unbelievable

What is? The fact that the judge denied the lawsuit? Or that Islam requires men to grow beards?

[Jenn! 918]

What is? The fact that the judge denied the lawsuit? Or that Islam requires men to grow beards?

the fact that this RAPIST is concerned with whether he is allowed to observe his religious requirements concerning the length of his facial hair

[Obama 2012 1,714]

He threw away his 'rights' when he decided to commit the crimes that got him a life sentence.

[Nina~ 431]

the fact that this RAPIST is concerned with whether he is allowed to observe his religious requirements concerning the length of his facial hair

Maybe he renounced his wicked ways when he converted to Islam?

(I am just playing the devil's advocate here)

[mawilson 2,133]

the fact that this RAPIST is concerned with whether he is allowed to observe his religious requirements concerning the length of his facial hair

In Saudi Arabia, the women he raped would be in prison instead of him for dressing too provocatively.

[Nina~ 431]

He threw away his 'rights' when he decided to commit the crimes that got him a life sentence.

That is a lot of bullcrap. Prisoners do retain *some* rights in a democratic society.. Otherwise the big bad government can toss civilians in jail with no legal recourse (like the do in gitmo).

[Jenn! 918]

Maybe he renounced his wicked ways when he converted to Islam?

(I am just playing the devil's advocate here)

Ah, right. I forgot about the whole converting to NOI in prison. (I did watch Oz so I know all about these things)

In Saudi Arabia, the women he raped would be in prison instead of him for dressing too provocatively.

I wonder if they're allowed to grow beards.

[The Dude 206]

He threw away his 'rights' when he decided to commit the crimes that got him a life sentence.

I have to agree. If you commit a crime that requires you be segregated from the rest of society, even for a short period of time, you forefit some of your rights. I think they have to accomodate your religious or cultural needs, as long as it is reasonable. What is reasonable I suppose is up to each state to decide. I imagine what is reasonable in California greatly differs from what would be considered reasonable in Texas.

[slim 1,514]

If you commit a crime that requires you be segregated from the rest of society, even for a short period of time, you forefit some of your rights.

What if you're only accused of a crime?

[The Dude 206]

What if you're only accused of a crime?

Slim, you know the legal system quite well. No need for rhetorical questions.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Quite frankly....WHO CARES?? He is serving many life sentences which means he was found GUILTY of his crimes. IMO, he has no rights other than to be kept fed, warm, and healthy. Other than that too bad. I don't think you really want to know how I think rapists should be punished

[slim 1,514]

Slim, you know the legal system quite well. No need for rhetorical questions.

It's not rhetorical. I expected to get answers.

Quite frankly....WHO CARES?? He is serving many life sentences which means he was found GUILTY of his crimes. IMO, he has no rights other than to be kept fed, warm, and healthy. Other than that too bad. I don't think you really want to know how I think rapists should be punished

Why do we keep folks alive when they're sentenced to multiple life sentences?

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

Why do we keep folks alive when they're sentenced to multiple life sentences?

Oh no, I'm all for keeping them alive...I just don't think they deserve any more than 3 square meals, a roof over their heads, and medical attention if they need it. I think there are far better ways to punish scum that steal the soul of a woman by raping them. For him to be complaining because he can't grow facial hair and for anyone to give him the time of day to hear his complaint to me is DISGUSTING.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Glyn and Kathy