Prison officials may deprive prisoners of any right that is reasonably related to legitimate penological interests. Thus, many states forbid beards, long hair and ponytails, earrings, and long sideburns as well as letters, numbers, and designs shaved onto the heads of inmates. Can you identify how each of the following rules may relate to a legitimate interest? Or are these simply mean-spirited attempts to make the lives of prisoners miserable?
a. No beards
b. No long hair or ponytails
c. No earrings or other pierced jewelry
d. No letters, numbers, and designs shaved onto heads
e. No body-building machines
f. No television
Should exceptions be made on the basis of religion? Some Sikhs view unshorn hair as a supplication to God-cutting their hair would make them a renegade. Some Native Americans believe that long hair is a link to their ancestors. Some Muslims hold that the Koran teaches that beards are a sign of manhood. What are the implications of such exceptions?