Oklahoma inmate takes settlement after claiming he was forced to eat nonkosher food
Policies are now in place to make sure inmates can eat what is acceptable in their religion
Policies are now in place to make sure inmates can eat what is acceptable in their religion
Policies are now in place to make sure inmates can eat what is acceptable in their religion
A Jewish inmate sued the Oklahoma Department of Corrections after he claimed he was forced to eat food that was not kosher.
"Our religious liberty rights for me, or for anybody, are only as great as the rights that we protect of the least people among us. So, whatever minority faiths or people in the lowest positions," attorney Hiram Sasser said.
Sasser, who represented inmate Travis Greer in his lawsuit against the Oklahoma corrections system, said Greer was unfairly taken off a kosher meal program that fits his religious beliefs.
"He was having some difficulties getting that done. So, he ended up suing," Sasser said.
The lawsuit resulted in Greer being awarded $28,000. His lawyer also was given $10,000 in the settlement.
"Part of the solution was a system-wide change in the entire state on how they administer their religious diets," Sasser said.
Policies are now in place to make sure inmates can eat what is acceptable in their religion.
"It would apply to kosher, halal and any other religious diet," Sasser said.
Oklahoma Department of Corrections officials told KOCO they don't have additional comments because the case was settled.
"It was something workable for the Oklahoma prison system as far as a supply issue," Sasser said.