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From: nemo@rochester.UUCP (Wolfe)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Strip Searches
Message-ID: <5759@rochester.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 25-Jan-85 10:01:00 EST
Article-I.D.: rocheste.5759
Posted: Fri Jan 25 10:01:00 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 30-Jan-85 05:12:22 EST
References: <604@unmvax.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: U. of Rochester, CS Dept.
Lines: 28

> Female inmates of San Quentin prison will have to endure strip searches and
> showers under the scrutiny of male guards, says a Federal judge who ruled that
> privacy is secondary to security.
> 
> U.S. District Judge Spencer Williams yesterday dismissed a class-action suit
> brought by three inmates who complained it was humiliating to be naked in front
> of male guards at the maximum-security facility.  They also complained some of
> the male guards verbally harassed them.
> 
> Williams said use of male guards didn't violate the inmates' constitutional
> right to privacy and said security needs justified the physical observation
> and hands-on searches by correctional officers, including men.
> 
> The ruling protects men's employment rights in correctional facilities, said
> California Attorney General John Van de Kamp."
> 
> I don't like it!  Seems to me there it shouldn't be hard to hire female guards
> for that purpose.  What do others think?
> 
> 			--Cliff

Where is the Bill of Rights when we need it?  Cruel & unusual (well, at least
cruel and I hope unusual but I wouldn't bet on it) punishment if ever I heard
of it.  Customs and the police routinely use women to search women.  That
judge should be subject to much free publicity when he's up for election
next.
Aghast,
Nemo