Muslim inmates at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility are joining their religious brethren in the observance of Ramadan.

That takes some effort from prison officials, who change procedures to allow about 60 inmates to follow the practice of not eating or drinking during daylight hours.

Food services provide the inmates with a small meal before daylight and another meal after the sun has gone down. Those who are able to gather together four of the five times during the day to pray. Ramadan began July 8 and ends Aug. 7.

Chaplain Oscar Gomez and prison staff plan for Ramadan for months. But Gomez says prison officials will reject some requests if they pose a safety risk.

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Associated Press information from: The Hutchinson News