Three Jewish inmates at Rikers Island have filed a federal lawsuit saying their constitutional rights were violated by prison officials' refusal to provide them a vegan diet, which the inmates say is required by their religious beliefs. In a brief hearing yesterday, Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of Federal District Court in Manhattan refused a request that she immediately order the city prison to provide vegan diets to the three prisoners, but the judge did agree to hold a full hearing on the matter on Wednesday.
Benjamin Weiser (NYT)