The Vermont Department of Corrections settled a lawsuit with a Jewish former inmate who had been denied kosher food over Passover and ritual items over Chanukah and Purim. As part of its $25,000 settlement with Gordon Bock, 53, the department agreed to alter its policies dealing with the free exercise of religion and rely on the recommendations of the Aleph Institute, a Chabad-Lubavitch organization based in Surfside, Fla.
Jewish Prisoner Settles Suit Over Denial of Religious Rights
The Vermont Department of Corrections settled a lawsuit with a Jewish former inmate who had been denied kosher food over Passover and ritual items over Chanukah and Purim. As part of its $25,000 settlement with Gordon Bock, 53, the department agreed to alter its policies dealing with the free exercise of religion and rely on the recommendations of the Aleph Institute, a Chabad-Lubavitch organization based in Surfside, Fla.
Bob Moore, director of prison policy oversight at the Aleph Institute, called the case a victory for prisoners of any faith who face bureaucratic and institutional roadblocks in the practice of their religion.
“Inmates do not leave their religious rights at the prison gate,” said Moore, who connected Bock to New York attorney Aaron Hauptman, who handled the case. “Unfortunately, states do not move at revolutionary speed when it comes to implementing policy. But this case serves as a wakeup call. As a result of this lawsuit, the state of Vermont has agreed to be more sensitive to inmates’ requests.”
In his lawsuit, Bock, who was imprisoned between Oct. 22, 2004, and May 10, 2005, charged that prison officials denied his repeated requests to receive kosher food from the Aleph Institute and that they refused to allow him to light a menorah over Chanukah or receive special celebratory foods over Purim.
Fan from the train!!!
Go Shmary!!!
freind
shmary keep up the good work;-)
Brenda Bryant
When Mr. Bock submitted the above article, he did not mention what he was imprisoned for. Below is an excerpt taken from http://www.firstamendmentce…
“Bock, 53, of Northfield was imprisoned between Oct. 22, 2004, and May 10, 2005, on domestic assault, violation of an abuse-prevention order, attempted unlawful trespass and violation of conditions of release convictions, the Corrections Department said. He brougGordon ht a suit in 2005, alleging religious discrimination.”
Mr. Bock, how many rights did you violate when you terrorized your wife? Perhaps she could sue you, eh?