Victory! Satnam Singh’s Hair Will Remain Uncut Crowned by His Dastaar

(New York, New York) April 1, 2006 - As a result of overwhelming activism by Sikhs and non-Sikhs worldwide, the Florida Department of Corrections will allow Satnam Singh to serve his sentence in Vermont, where he will be able to maintain uncut hair and wear his dastaar.

The Coalition would like to thank Florida Department of Corrections Secretary James McDonough and Governor Jeb Bush for their swift action to prevent the cutting of Satnam Singh’s hair.

The fight for religious freedom in Florida prisons is not over, however. The regulations that disallow long hair or religious headcoverings must ultimately be changed to accommodate prisoners of faith. The Coalition will continue to work with its partners in Florida to ensure all prisoners are able to keep their hair uncut and are able to cover their heads with religious garb.

Background - Campaign to prevent cutting of a Sikh's hair in Florida, US

A Sikh prisoner, Satnam Singh, is presently incarcerated at a federal prison in Ohio. He will be transferred to a Florida state prison on or after April 9, 2006. Florida prison regulations require male prisoners to cut their hair to a “medium length” and allow prison officials to forcibly cut their hair if they refuse to comply. Urgent action is therefore needed to stop Florida prison officials from forcibly cutting his hair.

Chapter 33-602.101(4) of the Florida Administrative Code states that “[m]ale inmates shall have their hair cut short to medium uniform length at all times….” No similar provision exists for female inmates.

The section also states that “[a]ll inmates shall be clean shaven, provided, however that an exemption from this requirement shall be granted on the basis of a medial diagnonis….” If an inmate refuses to adhere to these grooming standards, even for faith-based reasons, the officer in charge “shall direct staff to shave the inmate or cut the inmate’s hair” according the Chapter 602.101(5).

Maintaining unshorn hair (including facial hair) and wearing a turban are central tenets of the Sikh faith. Sikhs wear an external uniform to unify and bind them to the beliefs of the religion and to remind them of their commitment to Sikh teachings at all times. These articles of faith have deep spiritual significance.

Historically, uncut hair has been the most central feature of the Sikh identity. For example, in the 18 century, when Sikhs in South Asia were persecuted and forced to convert from their religion; the method of forcing conversions was cutting off a Sikh’s hair. As a result, the forcible cutting of the hair is perceived as the most humiliating and hurtful physical injury that can be inflicted upon a Sikh. Everyday during prayers, Sikhs remember those Sikhs who sacrificed their lives rather than giving up their uncut hair and turbans. Mr. Singh’s need to keep his hair unshorn must be understood in this context.

Case Background

Satnam Singh was convicted in federal court and Florida state court of criminal use of personal identification information, a non-violent offense. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment in Florida and a three year federal sentence. As a result of good behavior, his federal sentence has been reduced by 216 days.

Satnam vehemently denies that he engaged in an criminal behavior.  He plans to continue to fight his conviction.

At present, Satnam is housed in a low security federal prison in Youngstown, Ohio. Throughout his stay in federal prison, he has been allowed to maintain his unshorn hair neatly in his turban. He does not have a negative disciplinary record. His Federal Bureau of Prisons Progress Report states that he “approaches staff in a polite and respectful manner” and “has maintained clear conduct since his incarceration.”

Satnam is scheduled to be released to a Florida state prison on or after April 9, 2006 where he will have to be submitted to having his hair cut forcibly if he refuses to voluntarily submit to having his hair cut and beard shaved completely off.

Timeline of Events

• March 24 -The Sikh Coalition receives a 35 page packet of information from Satnam Singh explaining that he will be transferred to a Florida state prison and that he is fearful his hair will be forcibly cut. The Coalition’s Legal Director reviews the packet and determines that Satnam Singh legitimately is in danger of having his hair forcibly cut.
• March 27 - The Coalition writes to the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and his General Counsel arguing that cutting Satnam Singh’s hair would violate the law.
• March 27 -The Coalition engages local Florida attorney and Treasurer of the Sikh Society of Florida, Arvind Singh, to rally local community support behind Satnam Singh and attempt to find him pro bono legal assistance.
• March 28 - Arvind Singh contacts local civil rights organizations, such as the ACLU, Aleph Institute, Council on American Islamic Relations, and Florida Sikh activists to support Satnam Singh.
• March 29 - The Coalition puts together an online petition that will e-mail the Governor and the Department of Corrections every 100 times it is signed. Coalition requests Sikh organizations all over the world to join the effort.t
• March 29 - The Coalition’s Legal Director speaks to attorneys from the Aleph Institute and the ACLU of Florida to request their assistance.
• March 30 - Over 200 Sikh and non-Sikh organizations around the world respond to Coalition’s request to endorse the campaign to save Satnam Singh’s hair from being cut and his Dastaar from being removied.
• March 30 - The Aleph Institute agrees to formally provide assistance on this matter.
• April 1 - the Coalition sends an advisory to the Sikh community requesting its action to sign the petition and individually e-mail Governor Bush and Secretary McDonough. In over 5 days more than 6,800 people signed the petition.
• April 2 – Arvind Singh and a group of 15 volunteers at the Sikh Society of Florida make a powerpoint presentation to the gurdwara sangat explaining Satnam Singh’s situation and requesting their assistance. The sangat resolves to hold a press briefing at the gurdwara on Tuesday, April 4 and a rally in the state capital on Saturday, April 8.
• April 2-3– Secretary McDonough and Governor Bush receive over 200 individual e-mails from Sikhs and non-Sikhs requesting action to stop Satnam Singh’s hair from being cut.
• April 3 – Secretary McDonough calls the Sikh Coalition to state that his office is taking a series of measures to ensure Satnam Singh’s hair will not but cut by Florida officials or his turban removed. The Secretary contacts Florida officials who are scheduled to receive Satnam and requests that they not cut his hair until his matter is resolved.
• April 3 – Sharee Freeman, Director of the United States Justice Department’s Community Relations Service (CRS) calls the Sikh Coalition to offer her agency’s full support to work with the Sikh community to resolve community tension between Florida state officials and the Sikh community. Local CRS officials contact Arvind Singh to work with him to resolve community tension and the matter.
• April 3 – Former Miami Mayor, Alex Pinellas, called Secretary McDonough to express his concern that Satnam Singh’s hair may be cut.
• April 3 – The office of Florida State Senator Frederica Wilson calls the Coalition office to offer her support.
• April 3 – Department of Corrections attorneys work with the Coalition to find alternatives to having Satnam Singh’s hair cut and his turban removed.
• April 3 – Sikh Society of Miami holds a divaan at the gurdwara and invites press and community leaders to highlight Satnam Singh’s case
• April 3 –Department of Justice, Community Relations Service officials work with Arvind Singh to arrange for a permit for Saturday’s scheduled demonstration in the state capital. CRS also arranges a telephone conference with Arvind Singh and the Florida Commission on Human Relations
• April 3 – The ACLU of Florida agrees to serve as Satnam Singh’s counsel. The law firm of Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP agrees to partner with the ACLU of Florida in order to file an injunction if necessary to stop the state from cutting Satnam Singh’s hair.
• April 3 – The Coalition’s Legal Director receives a call and letter from Secretary McDonough stating that the Department will likely transfer Satnam to an out-of-state prison that will allow him to wear a turban and keep his hair uncut
• April 3 – The Coalition receives confirmation from Secretary’s office that Satnam will serve his sentence in Vermont and that his hair will not be cut and he will be allowed to wear his turban until he is transferred there.

Our gratitude to all co-sponsors of the petition

Individuals and organizations may provide the cosponsors of the petition with their support by writing to satnamsingh@sikhcoalition.org. Suggestions and recommendations pertaining to public relations, legal action and funding of this campaign that affects the Sikhs and other minorities are welcome.