Las Vegas, NV – An Orthodox Jewish inmate at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City will continue to be able to eat kosher meals under a temporary resolution of his lawsuit.
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At a hearing Friday in Las Vegas before U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro, attorneys involved in Howard Ackerman’s lawsuit said they had reached an agreement that eliminated the need for a restraining order.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that under the agreement, prison officials will give 30 days’ notice before implementing a new menu and will continue to offer a choice of kosher meals to inmates.
Ackerman filed a class-action suit last week in federal court, alleging the Nevada Department of Corrections violated the First Amendment with its decision to end kosher food options for inmates.
So now this convicted violent criminal is orthodox?
I know someone who is is frum and works in the prison system. He reported that many criminals claim “religiosity” post incarceration so they can see more visitors (chaplains) and get better food, as well as other benefits. Legally there is no test allowed to see how religious a person is in order to get these benefits. However, there is no reason the food has to cost so much. What is wrong with PB&J sandwiches? eat vegetarian style (more beans, less meat)?
While there are certainly those in prison who “become” orthodox for less than good reasons, I don’t know about Howard Ackerman (not enough background info on him).
While it is not a widespread problem, we are seeing more frum Yidden convicted of felonies and being sent to prison.
To # 1- You seem to feel that there is no correlation between a person’s religious beliefs, and his/her criminal behavior. There are hundreds of observant Jews in prison right now, who have been convicted of various categories of criminal activity, ranging from white collar crimes to violent crimes. Therefore, they should not all be painted with the same brush or stereotyped. An incarcerated person is still entitled to observe his/her religious beliefs, including the right to obtain Kosher food.
How frum can this guy be if he committed a crime that caused him to be incarcerated. He obviously forgot the basics of the 10 commandments. He should be forced to do what other Jews do in a situation where no kosher food is available – eat what he can – veggies, fruit, milk, yogurt, etc.
Why does the kosher food have to cost so much? another article here on VIN said it costs over $8 while hallal costs $2-3, and regular less. They shouldn’t be allowed to hold to their stringencies while in jail- as long as its kosher they should eat it! No cholov yisrael, pas yisrael, yoshon ect. PB &J sounds good! eat psuedo-vegetarian style (with kashrus)- no meat, cheese or fish. thats expensive and they should eat beans, rice and nuts.