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federal court

July 20, 2010

2 Muslim inmates sue prison

Pair allege discrimination of faith by failure of State Correctional Institution at Retreat to provide special food for Islamic holidays.

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter
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SCRANTON – Two Muslim inmates at the State Correctional Institution at Retreat have filed a federal lawsuit against the prison, alleging officials are discriminating against members of their faith by failing to provide specialized food to celebrate two Islamic holidays.

Inmates Ronald Banks and Ravanna Spencer claim the prison provides special food to Christian inmates in celebration of the Easter and Christmas holidays, but has refused to do the same for indigent Muslim inmates who wish to celebrate Ramadan and Hajj.

The suit, which the inmates authored and filed themselves, further alleges Muslims have been denied the right to purchase scented oils that are used during prayer. That’s discriminatory because the prison has permitted Native American inmates to purchase “medicine bags” that contain sage, cedar and a kernel of corn, among other things, the suit says.

Banks, 45, and Spencer, 27, filed the suit on behalf of themselves and all other Muslim inmates.

It asks a judge to enter an injunction ordering the prison to provide the requested foods and oils.

Sue McNaughton, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, said the department does not comment on pending litigation.

According to the suit:

Muslim inmates at SCI Retreat were permitted to take part in special feasts associated with the Islamic celebrations id-al-fitr and id-al-adha, but only if the inmate paid for the specialized foods, which include fish, fried rice and sweet potato pie, out of their inmate account. That differs from the treatment given Christian inmates, who are not required to pay for special foods served at Easter and Christmas.

The suit further notes that Christian inmates are provided a “Christmas bag” containing commissary items, which is paid for out of the general inmate welfare fund that is supported by commissary purchases and other, non-state-funded sources.

“It is difficult if not impossible for the defendants to claim any burden by accommodating indigent Muslims with the two feasts when they give out the ‘Christmas Bag’ free of charge,” the suit says.

Banks and Ravanna also object to the prison’s refusal to allow Muslims to purchase one ounce of scented oil for use during prayer, while allowing Native Americans to use their specialized religious items.

The suit names as defendants: James McGrady, superintendent; Michael Hoover, deputy superintendent; Rev. John Ritchey, chaplain director; Ulli Klemm, administrator of religion.

Details on the criminal cases against the two men were not available Monday.

Terrie Morgan-Besecker, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7179.

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