A U.S. judge has refused to order New York City to provide vegan meals to prison inmates who say their Jewish beliefs forbid the unnecessary infliction of pain on animals, according to court papers released on Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin denied the three inmates, who are being held at facilities on Rikers Island, a motion for a preliminary injunction that would have forced the city's prison system to immediately offer vegetarian meals.
The inmates, who are Jewish and vegan, allege that their right to free exercise of religion is being violated because they believe Judaism prohibits mistreatment of animals. Vegans avoid using or consuming any animal products. They do not eat meat, dairy products, eggs and honey, and do not use fur, leather, wool, down or other animal products either.
The plaintiffs, who are charged with property damage and trespass stemming from a protest against animal testing, say that because they are denied vegan foods, they are existing on peanut butter, crackers and potato chips and thus suffering from such health problems as fatigue and weight loss.
The judge said that although she did believe the inmates' views were sincere, they had not proven that very serious damage would result without such an order.
The plaintiffs, aged 17 to 24, have all been vegans for at least five years. Although they are serving terms from one to six years, they are scheduled to be transferred to other facilities this month.
Scheindlin said that the fact the inmates had waited for at least nine months before bringing the case provided some evidence that they would not be irreparably hurt without immediate action.
She also said she felt the prison system could meet their dietary needs.
"I can't let this decision pass without my saying that I think they could rather easily and inexpensively and with the goal of an efficient system provide a vegetarian alternative," she said.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons began offering vegetarian entree choices to federal inmates in 2000.