(Religion News) Rami Nsour, an advocate for the incarcerated, has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for those being held in California’s jails and prisons to practice their faith. As his clients are transferred from one facility to another, he said, they have to adhere to different rules governing religious clothing and grooming.
On Monday (Feb. 6), Nsour joined California lawmakers and multifaith leaders as they unveiled legislation that would create a statewide policy for religious clothing, headwear and grooming practices at state and local correctional and detention facilities.
“Protecting prisoners’ freedom of religion should not be seen as coddling the inmates or ‘hug-a-thug’ culture, two terms I deplore,” said Nsour, who co-founded the nonprofit Tayba Foundation to assist those impacted by incarceration. “Protecting that right is upholding our oath to the Constitution.”
