[cricket]

As a member of a more traditional stream of Judaism, Lawson is supposed to eat kosher food and, at certain times, refrain from shaving or cutting his hair.

The loss of 'rights' is what one gives up; having violated rules/laws of society.

The State does not own his spirit. . .so he can siritually commit; while taking comfort that the external rules of his Faith are temporarily; not his decision..

Was he obeying those religious sanctions; in his 'former life'?

[cricket]

ahhh. ..that would be 'spiritually'. . .commit

[caseinpoint]

Right on. Perhaps the desire to live his religion in its fullest sense would be incentive to behave and get paroled as soon as possible.

As an alternative, let his family or his congregation pay the difference between normal prison fare and his kosher diet prepackaged foods. At an extra $5 per day, that's only about $1800 a year so, family and/or congregation, put your money where your mouth is. If he isn't worth your money, then quit trying to increase kosher food business at taxpayer expense.

The same thing goes for Muslim dietary laws. If you don't like American food, quit preying upon Americans.