AGO Opinion Topics: REGULATION LENGTH HAIR AND BEARDS WORN PRISONERS STATE PENAL INSTITUTIONS

The provisions of RCW 36.63.130 do authorize (but do not require) the department of social and health services, acting through the superintendents of the various penal institutions under its jurisdiction, to regulate the length of hair and beards worn by convicted felons imprisoned therein, at least where such considerations as those of identification or of personal cleanliness and health are deemed by the department in the exercise of its sound administrative discretion to justify such regulation.