In Japan, a prison has banned a prisoner from wearing his glasses. This looks threatening and can therefore intimidate other prisoners or lead to ridicule, was the reason given. The prison in question has since received a warning.
Tsukigata Prison in the north of the country banned an inmate in his 40s from wearing his glasses, the Sapporo Bar Association reported. This one had a silver frame on the top and was frameless on the bottom. According to prison officials, the glasses gave the inmate “a threatening look” that could intimidate or harass other inmates. In addition, the glasses could even “have a bad influence on prison life by provoking undisciplined behavior such as fights and bullying”.
Affected by glasses ban
The Bar Association, which sent a warning to the prison, sees it differently. The person concerned suffered a lot from the glasses ban because he bumped into other prisoners and had a severe headache. In addition, the “right to a minimum standard of cultural life” is violated when inmates can no longer read easily because they do not have glasses, said Vice President of the Bar Association Ayako Ito.
A representative of the prison administration, meanwhile, defended the decision. “We believe there is nothing illegal or unfair about the way we have handled the situation,” the employee said.
The victim was in prison for a traffic violation and has since been released. Japanese prisons generally have strict rules. To date, prisoners have been repeatedly banned from wearing glasses. In Tsukigata Prison, an inmate was allowed to wear his Bulgari designer glasses in 2020. The argument was that it was too flashy and boastful.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
