Some death row inmates who’ve been on a hunger strike for a couple of weeks are now eating their prison meals. Three men convicted of taking part in the deadly 1993 Lucasville prison riot have been refusing to eat because of the way the prison restricted their activities. Sharon Daanan, a spokeswoman for the Lucasville Uprising Freedom Network says prison officials and the inmates have reached an agreement that allows, among other things, what are known as “semi contact” visits.
"That means that the visitors to the prisoners will be able to hold their hands and to kiss through this opening in the Plexiglas. And, as the aunt of Keith Lemar kept pointing out, is that she will be able to feed her Nephew as she always has in the past. So, that’s very exciting," she says. "And, also, access to the computerized database West Law so they can participate in research for their appeal."
Daanan also says the inmates will now also be allowed to order food from the commissary and have some exercise privileges. Prison officials say those privileges were not earned by the inmates at that time and insist that’s why they were not afforded those opportunities.