Prison-Guidelines

[Danu]

Good day to everyone
I write something about Jamaica.....and Jamaica-Prison-Guidelines:
My Question:
Can someone tell me how it works if a Rasta have to go to Jail....if the jail cut all Rastas the hair?
If yes...they do it for everyone....doesn't matter what was going on?
Thank u for all answers
blessings

[Rob]

In the past, some Rastafarians were arrested and had their dreadlocks forcibly cut off by the authorities.

However, in recent years, there have been some legal and social changes that have recognized the rights of Rastafarians to wear their dreadlocks without interference.

Therefore, it is unlikely that a Rastafarian would have to cut off their dreadlocks if they go to prison unless there is a specific reason or policy that requires it.

I have known Rastas who chose to have their dreadlocks cut off because lice is a big problem in prison.

[Danu]

Thank you for that interestin reply.
blessings

[Dr Suess]

It's not legal but there's been a few cases of rastafarians locks being cut in custody. There was a big public uproar a few years ago over a young rastafarian girl who was pepper sprayed and arrested for not wearing a mask in a taxi - and then had her locks cut by a female officer at the station in Clarendon. And a couple years before that Police in Gordon Town cut the locks of a rastafarian's children who were escorted to the station by the children's aunt (and also fed meat despite their dietary restrictions)/

[Rob]

It's not legal but there's been a few cases of rastafarians locks being cut in custody. There was a big public uproar a few years ago over a young rastafarian girl who was pepper sprayed and arrested for not wearing a mask in a taxi - and then had her locks cut by a female officer at the station in Clarendon. And a couple years before that Police in Gordon Town cut the locks of a rastafarian's children who were escorted to the station by the children's aunt (and also fed meat despite their dietary restrictions)/

Neither of these incidents involved prison,which was the question. These cases were with 2 children being mishandled by 2 overzealous childcare workers.

In no way was this standard operating procedure for childcare let alone prison time.

[Dr Suess]

Neither of these incidents involved prison,which was the question. These cases were with 2 children being mishandled by 2 overzealous childcare workers.

In no way was this standard operating procedure for childcare let alone prison time.

in the case of Nzinga King she was an adult (19 years old) arrested for violating the covid laws regarding masking in public transport. Her locks were cut by the female officer on duty at the lockup in Clarendon.

These certainly aren't the standard, and as I pointed out they are not legal - but they do happen from time to time due to rogue individuals working in institutions. The Jamaican government (especially the party currently in power) has a pretty crap history when it comes to treatment of Rastafarians (look no further than Bustamante, the so-called "national hero" who openly called for the genocide of rastafarians)