Rastafarians see their dreadlocks as symbolic of the lion's mane. They believe the Bible prohibits them from cutting their hair, and dreadlocks are a vital part of their religious beliefs.
So, it's imperative that they keep those dreadlocks hanging onto their heads. To date, 38 states permit long hair.
However, in states like Virginia where grooming policy requires that male inmates’ hair be cut above the shirt collar and around the ears (enacted for health and safety reasons), many Rastafarians and other inmates have spent years in isolation for refusing to cut their hair.
Others were forced to relent haircut in fears for health and safety. Inmates who refused to comply were placed in segregation cells.
The state of Alabama can also require prisoners to cut their hair despite religious beliefs.
The federal judges ruled that the Alabama Department of Corrections had security and hygiene reasons for the policy. Judges said the court could not force Alabama to accept inmates with long hair even though prisons across the country had done so safely. - WordPress.com.