Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace
June 11, 2003

Tampa–

On Monday morning, June 9, Nahla Al-Arian drove 90 minutes through a pouring rain to visit her husband, Sami, at the Federal Penitentiary in Coleman, Florida. Once she arrived, she was kept waiting for an hour, only to learn that she would not be able to see her husband.

Why not? Because he refused to submit to a humiliating and unconstitutional strip search.

Since March of 2003, Sami has been detained in the high-security punitive wing of the Federal Penitentiary in Coleman, Florida. Since his arrival, he has been strip searched every time he leaves his cell. For one hour a day (maybe), after all other prisoners are locked behind bars, Sami goes a few feet to a slightly larger cell for “recreation”. But before going, he must be strip searched.

When he goes to a visit with his wife and children, who are behind a glass partition, he is strip searched both coming and going.

On May 28, 2003, Judge Thomas McCoun ruled that the strip searches are unconstitutional. This decision was made a week and a half ago, but the strip searches continue. Today, Sami refused to submit to a search, even to see his wife. And Nahla spent hours of her day for nothing.

If you want to help, write to the judge to let him know that his ruling is not being followed, and that you are concerned about this. Or write to the prison and ask them why prison rules take precedence over the United States Constitution.

Honorable Thomas B. McCoun III
Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse
801 N. Florida Ave., #223
Tampa, Florida 33602-3800

Donald McKelvy, Warden
U.S. Penitentiary,
PO Box 1023,
Coleman, FL 33521
352-689-300; fax: 352-689-3003.

Harley G. Lappin, Director,
U.S. Bureau of Prisons,
320 First Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20534
202-307-3250; fax: 202-514-6878