BOLEY, Okla. (AP) — State prison officials say the number of alternative meals served to Oklahoma's Muslim inmate population has increased since a federal court settlement forced the adoption of more formal guidelines.
The Oklahoman reported Sunday that halal meals served at Oklahoma Department of Corrections facilities increased from more than 7,400 in January to about 11,500 in April.
Corrections department spokesman Jerry Massie says kosher, pork-free and vegetarian menu options have been available to Oklahoma inmates for several years, but the guidelines were updated to include a more defined halal option as part of a settlement agreement in February.
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of a Muslim inmate who said pork-free and meat-free meal alternatives offered to Muslim inmates did not meet dietary guidelines established by Islamic law.