When Paul Cortez, a man sentenced to 25 years in prison, decided to become vegan in March 2008, he cited his reason as a moral and political commitment to end animal cruelty and the exploitation of humans who make animal products.



Without going into detail about the arguably unfair circumstances that ultimately led to Cortez’s incarceration, I’d like to talk about why it is wrong that he has been denied the right to a vegan diet. Law professor Sherry Colb has explained in depth about why vegan food is a legal option that Cortez should pursue. But taking it one step further, should it not be considered that veganism, which for Paul Cortez is founded on the value of nonviolence toward animals, is in perfect harmony with the entire point of sending people to jail in the first place. That’s why it called a correctional facility!

During his incarceration, Cortez’s experience in a “box” – a thick-walled cell with a chicken-wire gate – seemed to Cortez to have frightening similarities to the situation of imprisoned “food” animals. During his 60-day stay in the box, he was given three showers a week, ate three meals a day following an insufficient vegetarian menu that he opted to take, and had no regular heating.

These 60 days led him to question the cruelty of humans against humans… and then to animals.
Cortez’s experience made him reflect on the fact that factory farmed animals are incarcerated from birth, made to live in poor housing conditions, injected with fertility drugs and hormones, then slaughtered before the eyes of their families.

He has channeled the feelings of injustice for his personal situation to bring attention to the injustices done everyday to animals. And this is the heart of the larger issue: the very reason why prisoners should be allowed – and encouraged – to eat vegan food. Veganism is a passion that in a sense works like the religious beliefs of a person, with the ultimate goal of pursuing and acting upon moral choices. In prison – indeed in free society – the goal of pursuing and acting upon moral choices can only be a good thing.

Obviously, it’s a time for a wake-up call. Adding vegan food options to prison menus is something that should be a no-brainer. And it should certainly be done without risking the security and health of the prisoners who ask for them. It’s a win-win situation for the government after all—not only are vegan foods inexpensive, they also lessen the likelihood of health problems in otherwise healthy prisoners.

Original article: http://bit.ly/cqooqg

Question: What facilities should receive vegan menus first? prisons or schools?