| Did you know that Bernie Madoff, the man behind | | | | prison is one that is based on the best interests |
| the largest investor fraud scheme in history, is still | | | | of society as a whole rather than the wishes of |
| swindling from behind bars? This time, taxpayers | | | | individual prisoners. The most fiscally and |
| are shelling out major bucks so that Bernie | | | | environmentally responsible diet to give prisoners |
| Madoff and other prisoners can receive kosher | | | | is one devoid of animal products. Here are a few |
| meals in federal jail upon request. Kosher meals | | | | reasons why an exclusively vegan meal plan in |
| for prisoners cost the law-abiding population big | | | | prisons would positively impact society as a whole: |
| time; this service requires having kosher cooks | | | | - Plant-based vegan ingredients like beans are |
| and a separate kosher kitchen at facilities with | | | | more affordable than meat products, especially |
| inmates who are, purportedly, religious. Perhaps | | | | when purchased in bulk. |
| these miscreants should have contemplated their | | | | - Mandatory vegan meal plan in prisons will |
| religious creeds, morals, and special dietary needs | | | | improve the environment by decreasing demand |
| before committing federal crimes. | | | | for products from the meat and dairy industries, |
| When Ira Black, the guitarist for the popular metal | | | | which are responsible for 18% of the Earth's |
| band Lizzy Borden, was sentenced to prison in | | | | greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Los Angeles for a misdemeanor, he went on a | | | | - There was a trial program implemented at the |
| hunger strike because he has been a vegan for | | | | Victor Valley Medium Correctional Facility in |
| fifteen years. Most prisons do not offer special | | | | Adelanto, California which found that violence |
| meals for vegans or vegetarians and Ira Black | | | | dropped significantly among inmates who were |
| refused to eat the heavy meat and dairy diet | | | | switched to a vegan diet. |
| that was provided during his incarceration. | | | | - An increased demand for vegan meals reduces |
| Whereas self-declared religious felons demand and | | | | violence against animals by the meat and dairy |
| receive more costly kosher meals that must be | | | | industries. |
| prepared separately in a publicly funded kitchen, | | | | - According to the American Dietetic Association, |
| vegans are expected to give up their principles | | | | vegans and vegetarians are less prone to heart |
| and consume animal derived products while | | | | disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity than |
| serving time. | | | | meat-eaters. Switching prisoners to a plant-based |
| The truth is that it is inefficient and discriminatory | | | | meal plan will save the prison system a great deal |
| for dietary exceptions to be made for prisoners | | | | of money on prisoners' long term medical care |
| regardless of the reason. All inmates should be | | | | costs. This is, of course, good news for |
| treated equally. We should be serving | | | | taxpayers. |
| cost-efficient and eco-friendly meals to all | | | | - Should we really be serving the body parts of |
| prisoners. After all, why should society pay the | | | | once-living creature to inmates who are supposed |
| extra costs of catering to specific felons? | | | | to be contemplating the distinction between what |
| Prisoners should be offered nutritionally sound | | | | is right and what is wrong? To serve the victims |
| meals that do not cost taxpayers an arm and a | | | | of mankind's ongoing animal genocide to the likes |
| leg. If you break the law, you should be aware | | | | of Christopher Lee McCuin and Timothy Wayne |
| that there is one set meal plan for all inmates | | | | Shepard seems particularly twisted. |
| regardless of religion, credo, or principle. | | | | Although prisons are unlikely to adopt an |
| A vegan menu should be the only option available | | | | exclusively vegan menu right now, this change is |
| in prison. What???! Didn't this article just argue that | | | | probable in the future. As the environment |
| all prisoners should be treated equally? Why should | | | | continues to deteriorate and as taxpayers |
| Ira Black's vegan diet be served while Bernie | | | | become increasingly irate over excess spending in |
| Madoff's kosher requests go ignored? The answer | | | | prison facilities, mandatory veganism for inmates |
| is simple. The decision to serve vegan meals in | | | | may ultimately be enacted. |