K A S H R U T . C O M_©

New Settlement Grants Kosher Meals To Detroit Prisoners

October 18, 2019 - from Vos Is Neias:

"A new settlement reached October 12th grants Jewish prisoners in Detroit, Michigan the right to receive certified kosher meals, after a class-action suit was backed by the Michigan American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)."

"Previously, the The Michigan Department of Corrections had provided vegan meals which were supposed to serve as a substitute for religious meals for all prisoners from non-Christian religions."

"However Jewish prisoners claimed that a kosher diet includes meat and not providing such a diet deprives them of basic rights. Additionally, the vegan meals were prepared using non-kosher equipment and utensils, which is contrary to halachic requirements."

"Under the proposed new settlement, which is subject to a fairness hearing before U.S. District Judge Linda Parker in Detroit, the meals would have to either be prepared in prison kitchens that are certified kosher or purchased from an outside kosher vendor. The settlement requires correction centers to provide a kosher lunch and dinner each day to prisoners. However the settlement does not allow for meat meals to be provided specifically on Shabbat and other Jewish holidays, and this demand is now pending in court."

"Prisoners covered by the settlement are those listed as Jewish in prison records and who requested religious meals."