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Virginia Prisons Rethink Tampon Ban for Female Visitors Amid Outrage

Virginia announced a plan earlier this week to ban female guests from wearing tampons while visiting inmates.

Virginia announced a plan earlier this week to ban female guests from wearing tampons and menstrual cups while visiting inmates in an effort to minimize contraband brought into prisons. The so-called tampon ban was met with fierce criticism from media outlets and inmate-rights activists alike. The state reversed action on Tuesday with Secretary of Public and Homeland Security Safety Brian Moran tweeting that he had ordered an “immediate suspension until further review.” He went on to say, “I feel it appropriate to immediately suspend the newly developed policy until a more thorough review of its implementation and potential consequences are considered.” Still, activists are concerned a suspension of the ban is not enough. ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Gastanaga said the policy should be permanently put to rest rather than simply suspended.