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Ventura County, Woman Settle Lawsuit Over Removal Of Hijab At County Jail

Ventura County reached a settlement with a Newbury Park woman in a lawsuit over the removal of her religious head covering when she was being booked at the Ventura County Jail.

The incident happened in January of 2017. Jennifer Hyatt was arrested as a result of a domestic dispute. When she was taken to the jail, during the booking process the Muslim woman was forced to remove her hijab. In a lawsuit, she claimed it was violently pulled from her head. But, County Sheriff’s Office officials say video, and audio shows it wasn’t yanked from her head, and she was treated respectfully.

The charge against Hyatt was later dropped.

County officials say it was cheaper to settle the suit than fight it in court. The agreement calls for a $75,000 payment, and for the county to make paper head coverings available to people who want them.

During jail booking, deputies routinely confiscate clothing that can be used for suicide attempts, like scarves, belts, and shoelaces.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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