meat is murder

In the UK there are many positive things to be got out of state institutions, such as to a lesser or greater degree, care for all on the NHS. Also, UK prisons are forced to respect a vegan diet (not so the NHS). However in the US, prisoners are not afforded the same treatment, as can be seen by one current inmate who is on hunger strike.

Ira Black, the guitarist for glam metal outfit Lizzy Borden, has been on a hunger strike in LA County Jail for the past 10 days because the prison refuses to serve him vegan food. Black, a vegan of 15 years, was arrested on January 3rd on a misdemeanor charge and is now being held on $65k bail.

KNAC reports Black’s fiancée has spoken out, saying the prison “will give inmates with medical problems or religious beliefs a different meal, but there is no concern for the vegetarians/vegans…The situation has been escalating hour by hour.”

Guards also forced Black to take off a sign he was wearing that said, “Hunger Strike.”

Story from TwentyFourBit

However, there does seem some hope for the US. If Ira had been sent to a Federal prison, here they seem to recognise a ‘no-flesh’ diet. Check out a very well researched article at Vegetarians in Paradise.

Federal prisons have been more attuned to veganism after Keith Maydak, a prisoner at the Lewisburg, Pennsylvania facility, sued the Bureau of Prisons in 1997 to demand vegan meals. On May 8, 2000, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan said Maydak was likely to win his case, and granted a temporary injunction requiring the prison to serve him soy milk.

Beginning in October 2000, federal prisons began offering a no-flesh diet to inmates. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons denied that the court case influenced the decision. “The intent of the meatless alternatives is to meet the changing dietary habits and the religious dietary needs of the diverse inmate population.”

VIP’s advice to protesters and activists: STAY OUT OF JAIL. Although there is some movement to accommodate vegans, most state and local facilities are not going to offer vegans a wholesome meal. Federal prisons obviously offer diverse vegan options.

If you are a UK reader and wanting more information about being a vegan prisoner please see the Vegan Prisoners Support Group (VPSG).