New Tampon Ban For Virginia Prison Visitors Already Suspended

Virginia's Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran has suspended a new policy that would have banned visitors to state prisons from wearing tampons. Widespread criticism followed the announcement of the policy, which the Virginia Department of Corrections had introduced due to potential use of tampons to hide and bring contraband into prisons. The policy would have taken effect in October.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch first reported the change, detailed in a memo from Department of Corrections chief of operations David Robinson to prison leadership.

"There have been many instances in which visitors have attempted to smuggle drugs into our prisons by concealing those drugs in a body cavity," spokesperson Lisa Kinney told the newspaper.

Body scans can detect possible contraband. Under the proposed policy, visitors with questionable items detected on the body scan would have needed a strip search or would have to leave the prison. Women who wear tampons to visitation will have pads available at the prison to use before having a body scan.

The policy would not have applied to female staff at the prisons.

The news broke when Nottoway Correctional Center released a memo of the tampon ban to visitors and inmates. "As a result of recent inquiries in regards to feminine hygiene products being an ideal way to conceal contraband, effective October 6, 2018, the use of tampons and or menstrual cup hygiene items during visitation are prohibited," read the memo.

The Nottoway memo said anyone who fails "to remove such item prior to being screened, will have their visitation terminated for the day and will have their visitation privileges reviewed."

The ACLU of Virginia criticized the policy, saying it could discourage visits to inmates.

"A policy like this one that requires those who wish to visit people who are incarcerated to set aside their dignity and health is simply unacceptable," reads the statement.

Image via Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press