In Portland, Maine, a local jail
will end a baffling policy requiring female attorneys to remove their underwire bras before entering to visit clients.
Citing the fact that the bras set off the metal detector, employees at Cumberland County Jail put in place a new policy on September 10 stating that attorneys visiting their clients must either remove their bras or forego their visit. At least two attorneys said they were offended at the request and refused to remove their bras when confronted at the jail’s entrance by deputies.
"It’s absolutely outrageous," said attorney Amy Fairfield. He said, ‘Are you wearing an underwire bra? Might I suggest you go to the bathroom and take that off?’ I said, ‘I will not. I am completely offended at that notion.'"
Fairfield sent a letter to Sheriff Kevin Joyce and to the chief judge of Maine's Superior Court citing her offense and concern, and stated that she considers the discriminatory policy to be a "constitutional issue."
While Sheriff Joyce said Monday that female attorneys will no longer be requested to take off their underwire bras, he also refused to apologize for the practice, even after allegedly promising a public apology to one of the attorneys. Read on for his rationalization.
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