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U.S. Supreme Court: Arkansas Inmate Can Grow Beard, For Now

The Supreme Court says an Arkansas prison inmate must be allowed to grow a short beard in accordance with his religious beliefs, at least temporarily.

The justices said in a brief order Thursday that state corrections officials may not enforce their grooming policy prohibiting beards against Gregory Holt, who says his Muslim beliefs require him to grow a beard.

Holt filed a handwritten plea to the court asking that he be allowed to grow and keep a half-inch beard, at least until the justices decide whether to take up his full appeal.

The 38-year-old Holt is serving a life sentence for domestic violence and burglary.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette said in 2012 that prosecutors said Holt cut his girlfriend's throat and stabbed her in the chest at her mobile home.

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