Did you know that Black/African American Women are forced to cut their natural hair if they are incarcerated? 

My name is Ihsan Imani. I was incarcerated in 2010 at Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution,  then again in 2014 at Leath Correctional Institution. Both times I was incarcerated, I was forced to cut my natural hair because it was in the form of Locs.

The intake process consists of a lot of paperwork, showers, lice treatment, then a long wait time in the holding cell before going into placement. For me, that wait time was extra long because I was singled out due to MY NATURAL hair being loc'd. I was told that it would have to be cut completely off.

I had been growing my locs for 3 years both times this happened. Despite the fact that I stated it was against my spirituality to cut my hair, I was still stripped of my rights "per policy". Those 3 years of hair growth disappeared at the clip of the scissors. I watched my hair fall to the floor as if it were trash on the street. As my hair fell, so did the tears from my eyes. 

How could they be allowed to just strip me of my NATURAL hair and get away with it? No one else who enters prison doors is mandated to cut their natural hair except for women (and men) with "dreadlocks"?? Why are Locs so dreadful that they are not allowed in prison? 

I was told that it was supposedly due to the potential threat of lice, mind you, the lice treatment is given to each individual before entering living quarters. Furthermore, there is scientific proof that lice do not like the texture of coarse hair.

This an ongoing issue to this day in South Carolina Department of Corrections. This is Discrimination against black hair and Discrimination against black people and there must be an end put to this!

I am asking those who are willing, to contribute to changing the perspective and the negative outlook of black hair, especially in the form of Locs. I am asking for you all to sign the petition for the Department Of Corrections to stop stripping our women of our natural hair! 

Please sign this petition to help bring about CHANGE! I am not asking for donations. Your signature will suffice. Thanks in advance to all of you who sign. Your support is greatly appreciated. 

~Ihsan Imani~