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Controversial Tampon Ban for Prison Visitors in Virginia Suspended

Virginia Secretary of Public and Homeland Security Safety Brian Moran said Tuesday on Twitter that he had ordered an "immediate suspension until further review."

By The Associated Press

Virginia is suspending a newly introduced policy that would have barred women who visit inmates at state prisons from wearing tampons or menstrual cups.

Virginia Secretary of Public and Homeland Security Safety Brian Moran said Tuesday on Twitter that he had ordered an "immediate suspension until further review."

The abrupt about-face comes a day after widespread media coverage of state prison officials' plan to ban tampons starting next month as a way to prevent contraband from being smuggled into prisons.

Moran said he understands the worries about contraband, but added that "a number of concerns have been raised about the new procedure."

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