AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff’s Office recently made policy changes to allow female Muslim detainees to keep their Hijab for the photos and during the booking process.
The policy changes also have TCSO taking privacy precautions during the search process, as well as providing access to long-sleeved clothes for religious reasons.
The Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas, Austin) said it welcomed the changes.
CAIR-Texas, Austin said the changes were influenced by the organization’s intervention after “protesters were arrested and reportedly denied many of their constitutional rights in April.”
The organization said it condemned the violation and asked for policy reforms, cultural competence training for officers and investigations into the alleged incidents.
CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan issued the following statement regarding the policy changes.
“We have been in contact with the sheriff’s office and the chaplaincy leadership in Travis County since May to enhance understanding of Islam and build mutual respect. As we welcome the policy changes regarding religious articles, such as hijab and sleeves attire, and see them as a good step in the right direction, we still wait for deeper and institutional cultural reforms to increase the diversity in the chaplaincy effort and ensure freedom of religion for all.
“Exploring practices and policies implemented at other counties across the nation, I was shocked to see the gap between the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ standards regarding religious accommodations, especially for Muslim females, and what is implemented, or not implemented, in Texas counties. I hope the time comes when we don’t have to fight for our basic rights, and this can only happen with continuous communication and deep systemic reforms.”
CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan
TCSO also issued the following statement regarding the changes.
“The Travis County Sheriff’s Office has enjoyed the collaboration with CAIR regarding ways to better serve members of the Muslim community within the security and safety requirements of a jail facility. One of the topics of discussion has been the wearing of a hijab. TCSO has long had a policy for accommodating religious clothing of individuals in its inmate housing areas. The wardrobe policy in Central Booking is stringent by design because it is the point at which items that could be used to harm someone are discovered.
In accordance with TCSO’s mission to foster trust and collaboration with the Travis County community, Sheriff Hernandez and her command staff, along with TCSO’s Sr. Chaplain have engaged in various conversations with CAIR. Those conversations influenced TCSO’s decision to review and modify internal standard operating procedures, have more long-sleeved clothing on hand at Central Booking and purchase hijabs that better meet safety requirements than some of the garments women have worn into Central Booking.
We remain committed to conversations that enable us to respect the religious beliefs of those entering our facility while also ensuring their safety and security.”
TCSO