Prisoner wins 2nd round; judge orders air mattress

KINGSLEY, Mich. (AP) - The Corrections Department again has been ordered to provide an air mattress to a northern Michigan prison inmate who has hip and leg pain. It's the second time that Detroit federal Judge Arthur Tarnow has ruled in favor of Richard Boone. The decision last Friday comes nearly three months after an appeals court reversed his 2013 ruling, saying the judge didn't follow the correct procedure for an injunction. The 45-year-old Boone, a convicted robber, is in a prison in Kingsley near Traverse City. His medical history includes a hip replacement and major leg surgery. Prison officials believe Boone would benefit more from weight loss and exercise. They also don't want other inmates asking for special mattresses. The judge says he'll hold a hearing before deciding whether to make the injunction permanent. Published: Tue, Feb 10, 2015