In a recent policy update, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office has revised its stance on religious articles, allowing Muslim women to keep their hijabs during the booking process. This change also ensures jail staff will honor requests for modest clothing, a move praised by local Muslim advocacy groups.
The policy shift came after several female Muslim students from the University of Texas (UT) reported to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that law enforcement officers had removed their hijabs during arrests following pro-Palestinian protests in April. These incidents raised concerns about religious rights violations.
CAIR-Austin’s Operations Manager, Shaimaa Zayan, explained that the organization had been collaborating with the sheriff’s office since May to improve understanding of Islamic practices and promote mutual respect. While she declined to provide further details, she emphasized the importance of the ongoing cooperation between law enforcement and the Muslim community.
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The revised policy instructs officers to consult with a chaplain when addressing requests for religious head coverings. While detainees are still required to have their head coverings searched, the searches will now be conducted privately, and by officers of the same gender. Additionally, the sheriff’s office will ensure a supply of long-sleeved clothing and head coverings to accommodate religious needs.
In the wake of the protests, CAIR voiced concerns over the treatment of Muslim women at the Travis County Jail, citing reports that detainees were denied access to menstrual products, head coverings, and modest clothing. The sheriff’s office responded by denying these allegations, attributing any delays in providing religious garments to the unexpectedly high number of requests.
One anonymous UT student, who was arrested on April 24, described the distressing experience of having her hijab forcibly removed twice—first during her arrest and again during booking at the jail. She recalled that a female officer removed her hijab in a public booking area, in full view of male officers and detainees. Although the officer returned the hijab to her, the student was unable to wear it for over two hours because she had been restrained with zip ties.
“My hijab is a core part of my identity, and having it taken away made me feel completely devastated,” the student shared. “It wasn’t just about physical discomfort. I could have managed that. But without my hijab, I felt stripped of my dignity.”
The policy change is seen as a step forward in safeguarding religious rights and ensuring the dignity of Muslim women in detention facilities.