What did the case Holt vs. Hobbs challenge?

The case Holt vs. Hobbs primarily challenged the allowance of facial hair for inmates, focusing on the rights of incarcerated individuals to practice their religion. In this instance, the plaintiff, Greg Holt, argued that the Arkansas Department of Correction's grooming policy, which prohibited beards longer than a quarter of an inch, violated his religious beliefs as a Muslim. The case highlighted the balance between institutional security and the accommodation of religious practices in correctional facilities. The ruling in favor of Holt affirmed the importance of allowing inmates to maintain aspects of their religious identity while recognizing the state’s rights to enforce security measures. This decision emphasized that restrictions on personal appearance in prison settings must be balanced against the rights of inmates to freely exercise their religion.