The article, "Ban on Prison Beards Violates Muslim Rights, Supreme Court Says", discusses a recent Supreme Court on a Muslim's right to grow a beard in prison for religious reasons. The prisoner is in an Arkansas prison and was denied the right to grow a half-inch beard. In its defense, the prison stated that the rule was for security issues as they were concerned that the prisoner may hide weapons or a SIM card in his beard. When examining this case, the Supreme Court first looked to see if the ban was burdening to a religious practice, which they deemed it was. The Court then had to see if the defense had a compelling reason for this rule. Justice Alito struck down any notion of a compelling reason by stating that the contraband would have to be very small to keep in a half inch beard while making sure that it did not fall out. Justice Alito also noted that the prison does not have a rule on the restriction of haircuts for the inmates, so a prisoner would be more likely to keep contraband in his long hair instead of his half inch beard. After all of this debate and discussion occurred, the Supreme Court came to a unanimous ruling of striking this prison law down.
In my opinion, I agree with the Supreme Court on this ruling. A man should be able to practice his religion to a reasonable extent while incarcerated. The request of the inmate was reasonable as he did not ask for a full, ZZ top like beard (Picture), just half an inch. It would be nearly impossible for the inmate to hold anything harmful in a beard of that length. Arkansas is one of the few states who still has a ban on short beards for inmates. Shockingly, all of these states are in the South. In conclusion, the Supreme Court made right decision concerning a reasonable matter of religious liberty.
I agree with Andrew that the Supreme Court made the right decision on this case. All citizens should have the right to religious freedom, including prisoners. Also, I think that it is kind of ridiculous that this prison had a rule against growing a beard but not against having long hair. I think that a prisoner would have a much easier time hiding something in his hair than in a short beard.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hanna, Andrew, and the Supreme Court. I think people have the right to religion, to a certain extent, even if they are in prison. As Andrew said, a half-inch beard would be very difficult to hide anything useful in, and if that's such a concern, they can set a limit on the length. Taking away a religious custom like this is not ok however, and I am happy with how the SCOTUS responded.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of someone trying to hide contraband in such a tiny beard is honestly laughable. Anyone with eyes and half a brain can see that the worst someone can hide in a beard of that length is maybe a pin or a paper clip. MAYBE. Anything else would be very noticeable and in danger of constantly falling out. Freedom of religion aside (which is still an important right) regulating beards that small for security reasons is just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteLove the ZZ top photo insert :)
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely the right ruling. What, you can have hair long enough to hide a knife in but no beard? Also, this prison is clearly run by men with short hair, because I can tell you that hair does not hold heavy things well. Even if you braided your beard (all .5 inches of it) to hold something in, what's going to fit? A tiny prison key? Additionally, these men are Americans and have the right to practice their religion, whether they're in prison or not.
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