A federal judge ordered the Florida prisons service to
provide kosher meals to all prisoners with a “sincere religious basis.”
Judge Patricia Seitz of the U.S. District Court in Miami in
a ruling issued earlier this month required the order be implemented by July 1,
the Miami Herald reported Tuesday.
The Florida Department of Corrections had promised to
reinstitute its kosher meal service in all its facilities by the end of this
year but had been dragging its heels.
In August 2012, the U.S. government sued the corrections
department in the Miami federal court for ending the kosher service, saying the
current meal policy violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized
Persons Act of 2000 that allows prisoners to worship according to their
religious beliefs. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 13 inmates.
Kosher meals are now offered at one state prison, according
to the Herald.
The department canceled its kosher meal service six years
ago, citing the expense. An average of 250 inmates used the kosher meal
service, including Muslims, The Associated Press reported. The state now offers
vegetarian and vegan options.
At least 35 states and the federal government provide kosher
diets in prison.
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