Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q1. Why protect rights of a convict?
  
  A1.  All humans, irrespective of their backgrounds or religious beliefs are entitled to basic fundamental human rights. These basic rights should also apply to those individuals who have been convicted of crimes. In this case, Jagmohan Singh was convicted and sentenced to a three year sentence. The sentence given by the courts was not: three years plus violate his religious beliefs.


• Q2. Why has Jagmohan Singh not been transferred to another prison that will not
  violate his religious beliefs, like in the previous case of Sikh prisoner Satnam Singh?
  
  A2.  Satnam Singh was under the jurisdiction of the State of Florida Department of Corrections (DOC), and Jagmohan Singh is under the jurisdiction of Duval County. The Florida DOC does not have control over Jagmohan and therefore is unable to initiate a transfer. UNITED SIKHS has been working through various channels, federal, state and local to resolve this issue with Duval County Jail officials, by changing the policy or by initiating a transfer. To date, Duval County Jail officials have refused completely to provide any solution to this grave violation of religious rights.


• Q3. Why did a Sikh go to jail? If Jagmohan is in jail, doesn't that mean he's not a Sikh?
  
  A3.  UNITED SIKHS represents several Sikhs who have been incarcerated, and is not concerned with the guilt or innocence of any prisoner. Our job is to fight for civil and human rights which are guaranteed by international law and in this case, the United States Constitution. Jagmohan Singh's sentence is for 3 years. The sentence does not state that he ought to have his constitutionally guaranteed religious rights violated while being imprisoned. Additionally, and this statement is not commenting on Jagmohan Singh's case, it is important to remember that innocent people have gone to jail, and there are many examples of this happening. Being convicted and going to jail does not automatically remove your religious beliefs, and the legal standard should be to allow prisoners to serve their time with their religious rights intact.


• Q4. What legal action has UNITED SIKHS taken? Why haven't we been to court?
  
  A4.  UNITED SIKHS has been actively working on this case since we were contacted by Jagmohan's family. We received the case after Jagmohan Singh's hair had already been cut, and since then have been working on solutions from various angles including by taking legal action. The problem with taking legal action is that all the legal precedent (previous cases) on the issue of grooming policies in Florida prisons are against our position. Courts, including the 11th Circuit Federal Appeals court, have ruled in favor of Florida prisons' grooming policy relying on the prison's position that inmates could hide contraband in their hair, or could escape and easily alter their appearance by cutting their hair or shaving. UNITED SIKHS is currently working closely with the ACLU and other legal organizations to mount a legal challenge to this precedent, but it is a slow, expensive, and time-consuming process. Therefore, we also are seeking a change of the policy on a state-wide level using community advocacy efforts.


• Q5. Why should we sign the petition, write letters, or protest?
  
  A5.  Petitioning, letters, and protesting are a vital part of the campaign to protect religious beliefs of Florida prisoners. Public and media attention on this issue may pressure the Mayor and Sheriff of Duval County to stop violating Jagmohan Singh's religious rights. Attention on the issue will also increase pressure on the Governor's office and the DOC to change the Florida state policy, so that Sikhs and other religions who have hair requirements do not face this issue every time someone goes to jail. The protest will also serve as a mechanism to educate those who are unaware of Sikhs and their religious beliefs to understand the severity of Duval County Jail's actions, and how much it aggrieves the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide.