Muslim inmates to receive Halal meals

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island has agreed to begin serving some Halal meals to Muslim prison inmates, settling a lawsuit filed by a dozen prisoners.

The Providence Journal reports the inmates will receive three meals a week with meat prepared in keeping with their religious requirements.

Tracey Zeckhausen, a spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, couldn't say how much it will cost the state to meet the dietary requests.

The inmates filed suit in March 2008 arguing they were forced to eat only vegetarian meals, because the state refused to provide them Halal meals.

They also asked to be allowed to pray in a group and wear Kufi headwear outside their cell or mosque.

The state says group prayer and the wearing of Kufis remain banned based on security concerns.