The Supreme Court will hear a case concerning Arkansas prison inmates' rights to grow a beard under religious guidelines.
According to the New York Times, the high court is slated to make a decision on whether prisoners in the southern state whose theistic beliefs require facial hair are exempt from jail rules.
The case was first brought forward by Gregory H. Holt, who is currently incarcerated for committing burglary and domestic battery. 38-year-old Holt, who goes by Abdul Malik Muhammad, said his Muslim faith demands that he grow a beard. He challenged the prison's policies in September, when he filed a handwritten petition asking Supreme Court justices to hear his case.
Arkansas prison policy states inmates can wear well-kept mustaches. Those with skin issues are allowed to wear beards measuring a quarter-inch.
Arkansas Department of Corrections officials said inmates are barred from sporting bears due to safety and hygiene regulations.
Representatives from the prison told the Supreme Court in a response to Holt's plea that inmates can hide "homemade darts and other weapons," as well as "cellphone SIM cards" in their facial hair, and that keeping an eye on these beards would put undue burden and extra work on guards.
Holt, who is being represented by University of Virginia law professor Doublas Laycock, replied by saying that 39 prisons currently let prisoners grow out facial hair. The federal system also allows inmates to wear beards.
Holt insisted that the prison's policy came in direct violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, in addition to some First Amendment rights.
A November interim order will allow Holt to grow a half-inch beard, while the Supreme Court deliberates, the Times reported.
