NY Prisons to Offer Kosher Option at Vending Machines and Commissaries, Thanks to Assemblyman Eichenstein

 By Yehudit Garmaise

New York prisoners who keep kosher and want to supplement their three kosher meals were previously unable to buy kosher snacks, as they were often unavailable.

If food items that adhered to religious dietary laws happened to be for sale, the prices of those items far exceeded the prices of other food items.

Thanks to Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (District 48) and State Senator Jessica Ramos (13th District), who sponsored the bill, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law that requires state correctional facilities to provide kosher and halal food options at all vending machines and commissary areas. 

“New York is obligated to respect the religious dietary rights of its residents, even those who are incarcerated,” said Assemblyman Eichenstein. “These individuals will now be able to benefit from food purchased at visiting area vending machines or at the prison commissary. Now, the religious rights of incarcerated individuals in our state’s prison system will be properly recognized.”

“I believe that recognizing an incarcerated person’s humanity is a key factor in their rehabilitation,” said Senator Ramos, who would like to ensure that Jewish students in public schools receive the same easy and affordable access to kosher food. “Denying Jewish people in prison access to kosher foods is an added and targeted punishment.

"It's incredible that this important legislation was signed into law during Chanukah, which celebrates religious liberty: a fundamental right upon which the United States is founded," said Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, President of Tzedek Association. "Thank you, Assemblyman Eichenstein and State Senator Ramos, for remembering the forgotten population and for correcting an issue with this bill that frankly should have already been policy."