Constitutional Law

Ind. prisons lose federal suit over kosher meals

By By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS ? A federal judge has ruled the Indiana Department of Correction is violating the law by not offering kosher meals to prison inmates whose religious beliefs require it.

An Orthodox Jew inmate at Miami Correctional Facility filed a class-action suit last year after the agency began substituting vegan meals for the kosher meals it formerly served, citing higher costs. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Ken Falk says the change affected between 90 and 120 inmates.

Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson this week ruled in favor of inmate Matson Willis, finding that the prisons department's handling of the issue had violated his religious rights.

The judge set a hearing for Nov. 30 on the scope of a possible injunction.

Department spokesman Doug Garrison says officials are reviewing the ruling.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on November 04, 2010 (boomark / email).