Rasta inmates spend 10 years in isolation for hair

[HeavenlySkies]

JARRATT, Va. — Kendall Gibson would seem to be one of Virginia's most dangerous prisoners.
For more than 10 years he has lived in segregation at the Greensville Correctional Center, spending at least 23 hours every day in a cell the size of a gas station bathroom. In a temporary home for the worst of the worst — inmates too violent or disruptive to live among the rest of society's outcasts — he has been a permanent fixture.
He is there, he says, not for his crimes but for a crime he will not commit — a crime against God.
The only thing imposing about Gibson is his long black dreadlocks, resting on the front of his shoulders so they won't drag the ground as he shuffles along in his orange jumpsuit.
It is his hair — winding locks he considers a measure of his Rastafarian faith — that makes him a threat, according to Virginia Department of Corrections Operating Procedure No. 864.1.
The rule took effect on Dec. 15, 1999. Inmates had two choices: cut their hair no longer than their collars and shave their beards, or be placed in administrative segregation...

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[yeahisaidit]

Add that to the list of stupid laws in Virginia...

 

[Aireen]

I wonder why he is in prison in the FIRST place though...

Oh and I know this has nothing to do with the thread but that is the first person I've seen with floor length hair. Psh and they say black people can't grow their hair past their shoulders like the other races. Pure BULL!

 

[Mizz Diamonds]

Wow his hair is my fairy tale dream length.

 

[AnitaTheLengths]

That is so wrong. Those Rastafarians are SERIOUS about their locks. I've seen several guys with locks longer than this guys. He should not be isolated for his religious beliefs.

 

[Curly Lee]

Are you serious!?!?? I'm so upset. I'm an aspiring lawyer and this CANNOT be llega, I'm going to ask my professor and see what he says.

 

[Briabiggles]

I don't think they put him in isolation because of his faith. They did it because he refused to follow the "rules" and cut his hair. I think the hair length thing is fairly common in prisons. They can hide shanks and other weapons in hair that's too long. The trade off for this man to keep his hair was to go into isolation. His choice.

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

he has two dreads hanging from his beard. ♥

 

[mscocoface]

Of course I have to go practical for just one minute.

How much shampoo and conditioner does it take in one washing to maintain that length of natural 4B hair?

 

[Celestial]

His locks look gross and if he doesn't want to cut it and least he could pin it up. Some people just like to be difficult. When you are in prison you are subject to their laws. They probably ask him to cut it and he refused. At least he should pin it up.

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

I don't think they put him in isolation because of his faith. They did it because he refused to follow the "rules" and cut his hair. I think the hair length thing is fairly common in prisons. They can hide shanks and other weapons in hair that's too long. The trade off for this man to keep his hair was to go into isolation. His choice.

Right! That's why I think it's fair. What if he chocked another inmate with that hair. That hair is thick enought o be some rope!

 

[upliftedjw]

he has two dreads hanging from his beard. ♥

lmbo!!

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

I don't think they put him in isolation because of his faith. They did it because he refused to follow the "rules" and cut his hair. I think the hair length thing is fairly common in prisons. They can hide shanks and other weapons in hair that's too long. The trade off for this man to keep his hair was to go into isolation. His choice.

ia

 

[CenteredGirl]

Gives new meaning to protective styling.

 

[HeavenlySkies]

I wonder why he is in prison in the FIRST place though...

the article says something like robbery false imprisonment and something else no murder. By reading it, it seems that for a lot of the inmates the crimes dont fit the time they have to spend. Oh yeah and i didnt notice the two beard dreads either.

 

[My Friend]

Having such long lovely locks, he is prolly safer in isolation.

 

[keelioness]

I'm sorry..all prisons have rules about hair length and facial hair..even weaves and extensions..once your locked uo you are State Property.Period

 

[Urban]

I don't think they put him in isolation because of his faith. They did it because he refused to follow the "rules" and cut his hair. I think the hair length thing is fairly common in prisons. They can hide shanks and other weapons in hair that's too long. The trade off for this man to keep his hair was to go into isolation. His choice.

Yip, I don't feel sorry for them one bit. They should've thought about that before committing ARMED ROBBERIES. That's just what happens when you go to prison, they make you shave your hair .

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

I'm sorry..all prisons have rules about hair length and facial hair..even weaves and extensions..once your locked uo you are State Property.Period

fully agree. its like joining the military. once you volunteer to go you have to follow their rules. and i say volunteer cause being in jail and being a criminal is a choice. so what ev

 

[Keen]

I'm sorry..all prisons have rules about hair length and facial hair..even weaves and extensions..once your locked uo you are State Property.Period

But what about freedom of religion? I don't know the details of Rastafarian but there certainly are religions who forbid cutting hair. I didn't think the State could make you do something that's against your religion.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

But what about freedom of religion? I don't know the details of Rastafarian but there certainly are religions who forbid cutting hair. I didn't think the State could make you do something that's against your religion.

but they also have to consider the safety of other inmate. they're not holding him down and cutting his hair. they're saying if you choose not to cut, then you choose to stay in isolation. he could hide what ever in his hair that could be used as a weapon against other inmates or guards. also, his safety, he could be targeted and hurt because of his hair THAT ISH IS LONG!!!

 

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

Well, a true man of god wouldn't be committing crimes and getting himself thrown in jail in the first place . Unless, of course, he's being punished for something stupid, but even then we'd probably know about it if that was the case.

 

[nakialovesshoes]

At least he's allowed a choice. Where I'm from (South Carolina), they will restrain you & cut your hair if you refuse. They care nothing about religion.

 

[Briabiggles]

But what about freedom of religion? I don't know the details of Rastafarian but there certainly are religions who forbid cutting hair. I didn't think the State could make you do something that's against your religion.

They're not making him give up his religion. He's free to practice in isolation. If anything, the isolation gives him more time to focus on his Rastafarianism....

 

[keelioness]

But what about freedom of religion? I don't know the details of Rastafarian but there certainly are religions who forbid cutting hair. I didn't think the State could make you do something that's against your religion.

Thats the thing with being a criminal..you gove up your freedoms..once you get caught and locked up.Freedom to vote/ make love/ go to bed at your leisure..Its funny how people become religious at their leisure. A truly spiritual man would not rob people.

 

[Mai Tai]

I'm sorry ya'll but all this feeling sorry for him just ain't my cup of tea.

 

[Noir]

I agree with above posts. He is state property now. He was not forced to cut hair against his will. He was given an option.

Personally I can understand why locks that long could be considered contraband.

But what about freedom of religion? I don't know the details of Rastafarian but there certainly are religions who forbid cutting hair. I didn't think the State could make you do something that's against your religion.

I'm sure armed robbery is forbidden in most religions too

 

[Lisa]

I'm sorry but having hair that long in prison does not seem safe! I would think they would isolate him for his own good. Someone could strangle him using his own hair!!

 

[Celestial]

But what about freedom of religion? I don't know the details of Rastafarian but there certainly are religions who forbid cutting hair. I didn't think the State could make you do something that's against your religion.

Freedom of religion is for civilians. Those who are bond in prison are no longer civilians and freedom that you had when you were a civilian may be no more. It is up to the prison master (warden) if prisoners will have freedom of religion. The prison system has different laws than the state. He ought to be happy that he is incarcerated in the U.S. In other countries they aren't lenient like America where the warden allows one to practice his religion and have prisoners attend church or mosque. When you are in prison you also can't wear a belt or shoestrings. His hair can grow back. I'm sure his rastafarian god understands. All religious spiritual people suppose to obey the law of the land even if you think its unjust.

 

[favorc]

This samething happend to my uncle. He was locked up like that for ten years. The worst of the worst people don't get locked up like that half of the time. I don't practice the religion, but I don't like nobody cuting in my hair either. .