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State Objects To Muslim Prisoners Joining Kosher Food Case
June 12, 2013
State attorneys Tuesday objected to an attempt by Muslim prisoners to intervene in a federal lawsuit that seeks to ensure the Florida Department of Corrections will offer kosher meals to religiously observant Jewish prisoners.
Muslim prisoners filed a motion May 30 to intervene in the case, which was filed last year in federal court in Miami by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Muslim prisoners seek a halal diet, complying with Islamic dietary laws, but would accept a kosher diet. In seeking to intervene, attorneys for the Muslim prisoners said the federal government should be “commended” for filing the lawsuit but that it does not address the Muslim dietary issue.
“Nowhere in the complaint is there any mention of Muslim inmates not being provided a halal meal, or in the alternative a kosher meal,” the motion said.
But in a document filed Tuesday, the state’s attorneys raised a series of legal objections to allowing the Muslim prisoners to join the case.
“The movants are Muslim inmates who seek a halal diet,” the document said. This case is not about halal diets, but kosher ones.”
U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz held a hearing last week on the federal government’s request for a preliminary injunction on the kosher-food issue, but she had not ruled as of Tuesday morning.
by The News Service of Florida
Comments
20 Responses to “State Objects To Muslim Prisoners Joining Kosher Food Case”
when observing the behavior of dangerous criminals, I think that religion should be the first thing they are allowed to practice. Afterall, its supposed to make you into a peaceful person… Thats the idea.. right…?
Kosher meals! What is next, reciting the Kaddish?.
It is not that which enter into the mouth that defiles a man, but that which comes out.
In regards too:
“Many people in prison are innocent. They have been arrested, charged, have made innocent pleas, and are on trial. Until a jury convicts (or until a guilty plea is made), ALL people in those circumstances are innocent”
If they are in PRISON at this stage, they have bigger problems than a guilty verdict, as they await trial in JAIL. Prison is AFTER you have been found guilty and sentenced. Either way, I stand on no special treatment in either facility. If you want to have choices, then I suggest you stay out of trouble and maintain the ability that freedom allows when it comes to those choices.
I’m sorry but when exactly did Church and State decide to come together?? Our children are barely able to have prayer in school, but they want to add kosher foods to the prison. Here’s a thought: LET THEM GROW THEIR OWN FOOD SOURCES AND STOP PAMPERING THEM!!!! Let them have to work for their shelter and food source just like we have too. Stop trying to wrap them in bubble wrap and they just might figure out that they don’t want to get into trouble and have to go back to prison. Stop changing the rules for them and they just might learn they have to get along with the same rules society has to. Come on people, it’s not rocket science….do wrong, it’s called PUNISHMENT for a reason.
REGARDING:
“I think people would be less likely to go to prison if they were not pampered and catered to”
I sometimes think some get themselves thrown into prison for the male companionship, but most probably don’t. The truth of the matter is that those who gave much thought to the consequences of their actions usually don’t go to prison in the first place. It’s associated with the low average IQ of inmates. (Crudely put: They’re stupid.)
You seem to think I’m talking about pampering them by suggesting giving them the vegetarian kosher meals some are requesting — well, they aren‘t requesting it be vegetarian but just to be on the safe side – - – . I don’t see it, but to me the main purpose of prison is to cheaply and safely keep criminals away from the general population in such a way that when and if they are ever released, they will tend to no longer prey on others. Simply torturing them probably wouldn’t do it — even if it were Constitutional. Feeding them pottage probably wouldn’t do it either, but should at least be cheap.
David for thoughtful people
REGARDING:
“Until a jury convicts (or until a guilty plea is made), ALL people in those circumstances are innocent.”
Actually, they are guilty or innocent regardless of what a jury says or what plea is made. The jury is only used to determine their official status.
Juries can be wrong.
A killer is a killer whether a jury is convinced or not.
A non killer is a non killer whether a jury is convinced or not
Others have already pointed out that the accused is kept in jail before trial unless released on bond. Prison is for convicted felons.
David for perfect juries
REGARDING:
“If I was in prison and my religion says I can only eat steak and shrimp, should I get it????? NO!!! ”
You are absolutely right. Shrimp isn’t kosher.
Nor is the steak if it is cut with a serrated blade.
Nor does such religion exist, so we’re back to vegetarian meals cooked by Jewish inmates even though that would be cheaper and less likely to encourage crime.
David for agreement
Duh, Duh, Prison is where you go when you are convicted. Jail is where you are at awaiting trial, if you cannot get bail. Also, most people charged are found guilty.
Not guilty verdicts are rare.
David Huie, I think people would be less likely to go to prision if they were not pampered and catered to….. Thats my point….. It’s not ment to be nice, and they aren’t there for doing good things. If i was in prison and my religion says i can only eat steak and shrimp, should i get it????? NO!!! I should of thought about that before i got in trouble.
Prisoners DO have rights. Clearly stated in the U.S. Constitution and considered repeatedly by the Supreme Court during our nation’s history.
And, this has to be mentioned: Innocence until proven guilty.
Many people in prison are innocent. They have been arrested, charged, have made innocent pleas, and are on trial. Until a jury convicts (or until a guilty plea is made), ALL people in those circumstances are innocent.
Let us not allow the revenge mentality to replace justice principles as established by the Constitution.
I would deport Muslim convicts to the Muslim nation that would take them.
But then I don’t run the show.
Prisonsoners don’t have A/C. At least the ones around here don’t.
REGARDING:
“@ David Huie, Sorry, they should have NO RIGHTS. Maybe there would be less prisoners / crime to worry about.”
Whenever anyone ever disagrees with our Constitution, I tell them the same thing I do with regards the Second Amendment: “Amend the Constitution to remove that from the Bill of Rights — if you can convince the people to go along with you. Otherwise, live with it.”
Even so, I fear you’re looking at this wrong. The simplest solution is to have all prisoners eat kosher meals. No bacon, no Jello, no ham, no beef (since it might have come from the hind quarters), et cetera. Tofu is okay. Would that make you more or less likely to want to go to prison?
The only way to make sure they are kosher is to have Jewish inmates prepare them, since non Jews are considered potential idolaters and incapable of cooking a kosher meal.
There is so much disagreement within the Jewish community as to exactly what constitutes a kosher meal, that the safest thing would be to stick to strictly vegetarian meals. That’s good because so many tell us meats are bad for us anyway. Would that make you more or less likely to want to go to prison?
David for happy, healthy hoods
@ David Huie, Sorry, they should have NO RIGHTS. Maybe there would be less prisoners / crime to worry about.
This is sooo stupid!!! Are you serious? This is supposed to be their punishment!! Maybe we should have our prisons as they do in foreign countries.. Well like the ones I see on locked up abroad. Prison is not punishment anymore its a free vacation for most. Think about it air condition in summer heat in winter a weight room basketball court library tv time a store in the prison to go buy snacks!!! And we wonder why jails are overcrowded? Its not hard to figure out. Much more and the hilton family should buy it and we will pick up the tab for these folks being punished!! I believe when u break the law you should loose ur privelages.. My children have harsher punishments then these folks. But just my opinion .
Wow …master of the obvious… prisoner rights, a contradiction in terms, and we as a civilized society have decided to allow people who make choices to live outside the law a fair shake, while they languish in prison… prison is doing time, that time should be spent reflecting on their actions with NO rights or privledges afforded to people that pursue and live productive lives within the law… sound harsh? dont commit crimes… and expect your rights to be respected… society owes you nothing…
REGARDING:
“When you go to prison you have NO RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!”
If that were true, you could simply starve prisoners to death and not have to worry about anything but their burial.
It isn’t true.
Even convicted felons have certain rights laid out in the Constitution.
They have the right to appeal their convictions.
They can not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. [APPLIES HERE]
They can’t be punished for things which weren’t illegal when they did them.
They have a right to practice their religion even if properly following that religion would have kept them out of prison in the first place. [APPLIES HERE]
Their punishment can not be excessive for the crime. [APPLIES HERE]
So, yes, they do still have some rights.
David for truth
STAY OUT OF PRISON AND YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN FOOD CHOICES. You aren’t there to be comfortable and accommodated morons…you are there as a punishment.
When you go to prison you have NO RIGHTS!!!!!!!!! Don’t like the food??? Don’t commit crimes… Sad thing is, they will win and we will pay.