Krsna consciousness continues to expand at West Virginia's maximum security state prison

by Bhakta Bruce

Krishna consciousness continues to expand at West Virginia's maximum security state prison, Mount Olive Correctional Complex, where thirteen bhaktas recently filed suit in federal court (case number 2:08-cv-00906, Blake v. Rubenstein) demanding their rights to prepare prasadam meals in the prison kitchen, or alternatively, be provided with prasadam meals by the New Vrindaban Hare Krishna community. At present, approximately 60 prisoners are receiving vegetarian meals at the West Virgina prison.

This follows that of a similar religious rights civil suit filed in federal court last year by Tirtha dasa (case number 5:07-0520 Drescher v. Rubenstein) asking he be permitted to prepare prasadam meals in the prison kitchen, and for the state of West Virginia live up to its previous agreements and court orders that granted Hare Krishna devotees broad religious freedoms.

A recent unfavorable ruling stemming from the "Walls" case from Arizona, where the Tucson Hare Krishna temple restaurants' bid @ $6.00 per meal was deemed "excessive" by the court, may actually help their cause, since the court found that depriving Hare Krishna practioners prasadam meals constitutes a substantial burden on their religious practice.

"It means that if we can demonstrate how preparing our own meals doesn't encumber the prison with an unreasonable financial burden, the court will grant us leave to prepare our own prasadam meals," Tirtha dasa stated. "We aren't asking for anything fancy." Tirtha dasa added, "we require that we prepare and offer our food to Lord Krishna in a mood of love and devotion on proper, sanctified equipment. That is the crux of our argument."

According to Tirtha dasa, the Hare Krishna prasadam standard and the Orthodox Kosher Jewish standards are quite similar in principle. "The courts have all agreed that the Kosher standard is a valid requirement for Orthodax Jews. We ask that they also recognize the prasadam standard for all practicing Hare Krishna devotees."

Tirtha dasa says there are about 15-20 sincere bhaktas who regularly attend their weekly hari-nama program in the prison chapel, where devotees chant the maha-mantra accompanied by mridanga and kartalas, and view Hare Krishna DVDs, with several men seriously chanting japa on a daily basis.

Although for the past 13 years no one from the greater Hare Krishna community has been available to lead or conduct their weekly 90 minute program, the devotees at Mount Olive remain hopeful for sadhu-sanga, praying that devotees from the outside community will step forward to attend and enliven their existing program.