Wrong bra, no bra: Jail bars lawyer (metal detector vs. underwire bra)

[Blue_Tires]

Attorney Brittney Horstman was not packing heat.

She was wearing an underwire bra.

And when the metal detector went off on a visit to the Miami Federal Detention Center, security guards wouldn't let Horstman in to see her client.

The attorney reminded guards of a detention center ``memo'' allowing female attorneys wearing an underwire bra to enter. But the guards would not relent.

Horstman stepped into a bathroom and removed her bra. In blouse and jacket, she returned, and cleared the walk-through detector.

Again, guards refused to let her pass -- now, because she was braless, which is against prison dress code guidelines.

``So, simply because I was a woman who wore a specific bra, my client was denied access to his attorney today,'' Horstman e-mailed a group of fellow lawyers on June 4. ``This is completely unacceptable.''

``You are a true defense attorney taking your bra off to try to see your client in jail!'' Horstman's colleague, attorney Carmen Vizcaino, said in an e-mail. ``Betcha none of the guys have done that for their clients.''

This is not the first time guards at the downtown Miami inmate facility have taken exception to the undergarments of female attorneys coming in to see their clients.

A few years ago, the Federal Public Defender's Office, which represents inmates held at FDC-Miami before trial, hammered out an arrangement with the prison allowing female lawyers entry if guards determine -- by using a wand -- that their underwire bras are setting off the detector. Once it's confirmed, the woman can enter.

FDC-Miami officials declined to comment. People familiar with the procedure say the guards on duty that Friday probably didn't get the ``memo.''

A spokeswoman referred a reporter to its dress code posted on the prison facility's Web page. The policy requires that women wear bras, but doesn't specifically prohibit underwire styles.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/12/1676299/wrong-bra-no-bra-jail-bars-lawyer.html#storylink=omni_popular#ixzz0qq2betBc

[melm00se]

1. chuckle

aren't bureaucrats and their minions kind of funny, sad and pathetic?

[snooper2]

Security guards a lot of times are cops who couldn't make the cut

so that should tell you something...

[dipsydoodle]

2. Maybe they employ

part timers just to hold them in place in offending cases. :shrug:

Gis a job. :rofl:

[Johonny]

3. if guards determine -- by using a wand -- that their underwire bras are setting off the detector

that sounds dirty

[intheflow]

4. Oh har, har har!

:grr:

This isn't a light, amusing story. Someone was denied access to their lawyer due to a sexist power wielding guard. Just because the story is remotely connected to boobs does not make it funny. Grow up!

[seabeyond]

8. this is what i am thinking, reading down the thread. truly disgusting. nt

[w4rma]

15. Agreed. These guards were trying to screw someone over. (nt)

[shanti]

5. why must women wear bras to visit anyway?

:shrug: that right there is sexist.

[MicaelS]

12. Because MEN might get aroused....

Sort of like the reason that women must cover up in Islamic countries. Women are the temptresses of men, and lead them into sin, doncha know. Ever since Eve, Downfall of Man, etc, etc etc. :sarcasm:

[RobinA]

16. Back in the Day

I had a friend who never wore a bra. Didn't need one and was still pissed that the kid in jr.high who sat behind her kept unhooking her bra when she first started wearing one. She did an internship in a prison and had to go buy a bra especially for the ocassion. That was back when underwire was for saggy old ladies, so at least she didn't have THAT problem.

[asdjrocky]

6. Cops being jerks?

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

[seabeyond]

7. sounds to me more like guys with little..... needing to feel empowered

over a woman.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. Yep. Some cop wannabe flunky messing with an uppity woman.

[seabeyond]

10. exactly. thank you... man. lol. and it isnt funny. it interfers with our basic right

not only as women, not only to work, but for that client sitting in jail. people should be pissed, not giggle cause they get to say.... bewbies.

thanks

[KharmaTrain]

11. I'm Surprised This Doesn't Happen More Often...

Several years ago while going through a screener, the lady ahead of me set the alarms off. The attendant came over and asked her to try again, and again the alarm went off...he then pulled out his wand and found that it was her bra that was setting it off. He had an embarassed look on his face and waved her through saying "this thing happens all the time".

Gotta wonder how strict this detention center is if the security is that high they detained her or is there more to the story we're not hearing.

[kestrel91316]

13. The old-time sexists in the "justice" system love this sort of quandary.

It just proves to them that women belong at home and not in the workplace, where A MAN would never have this problem.

[NashVegas]

14. Sexual Harassment At Its Finest

I hope she sues everyone in the employment chain.