Ruling gives several Oklahoma prison inmates right to have kosher food

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A federal magistrate rules three Oklahoma inmates have a right to eat kosher food paid for by the state Department of Corrections. <br/><br/>Attorneys for the state say they plan to

Friday, August 27th 2004, 5:56 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A federal magistrate rules three Oklahoma inmates have a right to eat kosher food paid for by the state Department of Corrections.

Attorneys for the state say they plan to object to the ruling by U-S District Magistrate Judge Gary Purcell.

Purcell ruled this week that the inmates' right to freely express their Orthodox Jewish religion outweighs state expenses.

Inmates Jon Cottriel, Jerry Harmon and Dennis Fulbright filed their petition while incarcerated at Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington. All three are convicted sex offenders.

State attorneys say they will file an objection to the ruling before a September 14th deadline. Until a U-S district judge makes a final decision, no kosher meals will be served.