Thurman said that he and others in the prison were subjected to racial discrimination and violation of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

The ACLU alleges that Thurman was transferred to another complex as retribution and prison officials proceeded to cut off his locs upon his arrival at the facility. The court affidavit further contends that remnants of Thurman’s hair were returned to him in a packed bag, Black Information Network reports.

“While my hair was being cut, NTC staff were laughing with each other while staring at me. Even after because of how my hair looked with the dreads cut. This was humiliating to say the least,” Thurman penned in his correspondence to Kentucky Department of Corrections Commissioner Cookie Crews, USA Today reports.

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