Amy Leigh Womack
The Macon Telegraph
MACON, Ga. — A Dooly State Prison inmate has filed a federal lawsuit alleging prison officials have denied him kosher foods used to celebrate the Jewish Passover holiday.
Mitchell Lavern Ludy was convicted of murder in Clayton County Superior Court in 2006 and is serving a life sentence.
Ludy, who claims to have been raised a Jew, alleges he is a victim of religious persecution and mental and emotional distress, according to the lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.
“None of these observational requirements of Passover poses a threat to the security of Dooly State Prison, nor do they impose any substantial financial burden on the prison’s administration,” Ludy said in his handwritten complaint. “There are no reasonable alternative means of religious exercise open to me to observe Passover.”
A Georgia Department of Corrections spokeswoman declined comment this week, saying the department does not comment on active lawsuits.
Ludy alleges he told prison officials he wanted to observe Passover before last year’s holiday so arrangements could be made to substitute his food.
Prison officials told Ludy he couldn’t observe the holiday because of the location in the prison where he’s being held, according to the court filing.
He alleges a memo was distributed saying Muslims housed in the same area could observe their holy month.
Ludy is seeking an injunction to allow him to observe Passover, $1.6 million in compensatory damages in addition to punitive damages and reimbursement for Passover meals.