UPDATE on May 7: Matir Asurim has also heard from an inside member in another state that the dietary department refused to follow Passover observance and did not provide proper Passover items during the festival.
In follow up to our Passover Learning and Action materials regarding nutrition and other issues for incarcerated Jews and those around them, an inside member shares Passover meals provided by Florida Department of Corrections —
Image descriptions in alt text and below.
As noted previously — see “Religious Diet litigation and practice in the US” — the state of Florida has been sued at least three times over its failure to provide equitable and sufficient meals for incarcerated people on “religious diet.” While victory has been declared by some, implementation falls far short. This is a statewide issue in Florida. No direct reports from other states, but pre-Passover information suggested that this is not limited to Florida alone.
Image description 1: Individual in orange prison jumpsuit holds tray showing banana, package labeled “chicken bologna,” two baggies with unidentifiable, uncooked foodstuffs — maybe vegetable and fruit.
Image description 2: Individual in orange prison jumpsuit holds tray with overripe banana, three packages of grape jam, coffee and creamer packets, and opaque bag which may contain matzah.