A HIGH COURT judge has granted injunctions to two Muslim prison officers who have sued the State for alleged victimisation, punishment and breaches of their rights to practise their religion because they were not allowed to grow their beards.

The injunctions prevent their transfer to the Port of Spain prison and carry a penal clause with notice that any breach of the order will be considered contempt of court punishable by imprisonment, a fine or confiscation of assets.

Both officers – Sherwin Ramnarine and Javed Boodram – say within weeks of issuing pre-action protocol letters, they were transferred in February to the Port of Spain prison.

Before the transfer, Ramnarine was assigned to the Claxton Bay Correctional Facility. Boodram was posted at the maximum security prison in Golden Grove, Arouca.

The injunctions, granted on Monday by Justice Margaret Mohammed, say they must be allowed to report for duty at the two facilities until their lawsuits are determined.

Mohammed is also hearing a third lawsuit filed by another Muslim prison officer, Arshad Singh, who has alleged he is not being promoted because of his beard.

Attorneys for the two had asked for the judge to hear all three matters, since their claims raise the same issues.

The two, who are represented by a team of attorneys led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, are asserting their transfers were a result of their taking legal action despite being warned by the prison administration. They view it as a form of punishment and victimisation to “teach” them a lesson.

However, they claim it is the “infliction of a penalty under the guise of a transfer.”

“This will have a chilling effect on litigants and can be weaponised by the State as a strong deterrent to discourage litigation against the State for the breach of fundamental human rights,” their applications said.

Ramnarine, 47, who joined the prison service in May 2002, said he converted to Islam in 2007 and his personnel records were updated to reflect this.

“I take my spiritual development very seriously as I see it as part of the essence of my identity and human dignity,” his affidavit in support of his lawsuit said.

Both men said they wear a beard in adherence to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah (the traditions and practices of the holy Prophet Muhammad).

Prison rules do not permit officers to wear a beard unless they have a medical exemption.

Ramnarine said when his beard grew, he was told to shave it and was reprimanded by his seniors.

“I have always felt very intimidated by officers more senior in rank to me and felt unsettled and would unwillingly comply with instructions to clean shave my beard.”

Ramnarine said his religious beliefs and conscience stop him from taking advantage of an “unwritten understanding” for Muslim officers to get medical exemptions for their beards.

“This artificial arrangement has worked for some, however, I find it to be a deceptive practice.”

At the start of the pandemic, Ramnarine said he was able to conceal his beard under a full b