Supreme Court to Hear Rastafarian Prisoner’s Suit Over Shaved Dreadlocks
The New York TimesMonday, June 23, 2025 at 3:40:55 PM
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case involving a Rastafarian prisoner who sued after being forced to shave his dreadlocks—a violation of his religious beliefs. The inmate argues this infringes on his First Amendment rights, while prison officials claim it’s necessary for security. The decision could set a major precedent for how religious freedoms are balanced against institutional rules in prisons.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about hair—it’s about how far prisons (or any government institution) can go in restricting personal beliefs for the sake of policy. The Court’s ruling could either reinforce protections for religious expression or give broader leeway to authorities, impacting not just Rastafarians but anyone whose faith clashes with institutional rules. Worth watching if you care about where the line gets drawn between security and liberty.
— Curated via WP Now’s
