Man allowed to keep long hair

DAYTON, Ohio - An American Indian prison employee will be allowed to keep his hair long because cutting it would be against his religious principles, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said yesterday.

The decision settles a dispute between the Dayton Correctional Institution and Ronald Bryant, who works there as a recovery service coordinator.

In October, prison officials had threatened to discipline Bryant unless he cut his hair.

Bryant is a Cherokee descendant and has adhered to tribal religious beliefs since childhood.

Prison Warden Wanza Jackson said officials wanted Bryant to adhere to the prison's grooming policy.

"Mainly, it's just professional image. And there are security issues – somebody may be pulling your hair," said Jackson. "But we made an accommodation for him because of his religious beliefs."

Last May, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that an American Indian prison guard at Hocking Correctional Facility near Nelsonville could keep his hair long in accordance with his religious beliefs.