Final answer:
The prison policy requiring a practicing Muslim inmate to shave his beard would likely violate the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects the free exercise of religion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prison policy requiring a practicing Muslim inmate to shave his beard would likely violate the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion, which includes the ability to practice one's religious beliefs without undue interference or burden from the government. The inmate's facial hair is a religious practice connected to his Muslim faith, and forcing him to shave his beard would infringe upon his religious rights.
Prison policies must balance the legitimate interests of maintaining order and security with the constitutional rights of inmates. While prisons do have the authority to impose reasonable restrictions on religious practices, these restrictions must be based on a compelling government interest and be the least restrictive means of achieving that interest. In this case, it is unlikely that requiring the inmate to shave his beard would be necessary for maintaining order or security in the prison.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has consistently held that prisons must make reasonable accommodations for inmates' religious beliefs and practices, as long as those accommodations do not impose an undue burden on prison officials or undermine legitimate penological objectives. Allowing the inmate to maintain his beard does not impose a significant burden on the prison officials and would not undermine prison objectives.