Court: Mich. prison OK to stop man's kosher meals

[August 15, 2009]  ST. LOUIS, Mich. (AP) -- A Michigan prison inmate who says his kosher meals were illegally suspended isn't getting any relief at a federal appeals court.

In 2005, convicted killer Phillip Berryman stopped receiving costly kosher meals at St. Louis Correctional Facility after he was caught buying non-kosher munchies at the prison store.

The 66-year-old Berryman said the snacks were for another inmate, but that defense was rejected. He sued, claiming his suspension from kosher meals was a burden on his religious liberties.

The appeals court this week said Michigan has a legitimate interest in maintaining discipline and ensuring that only inmates with "sincere beliefs" participate in the kosher program.

Berryman, who is serving a life sentence, now is at a Michigan prison in Jackson.

[Associated Press]

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