Ionia Prisoners Sue

Three prisoners at the State Reformatory in Ionia continue to be harassed over their beards and hair length, despite an order from a Grand Rapids judge restraining prison authorities from just that.

Two of the prisoners, Ralph Carbajal and Chuck Gregory, were placed in "Administrative Segregation" -- the prison hole tor three days before consenting to have their hair cut. Although Judge Noel P. Fox subsequently dismissed the prisoners' cruel and unusual punishment suit against the prison, the authorities appear to be violating the judge's order by continuing to demand that the prisoners cut their hair.

One of the prisoners, Carbajal, is a Native American and says the haircut regulations violate his religious beliefs. In the state of Nebraska, all Indian prisoners were recently permitted to keep their hair as long as they want on religious grounds.