Not for human consumption:
The labels on the boxes and cans that contain food for inmates say “not for human consumption” on the labels. Recently the labels have changed to “consumption for inmates only” or the labels are blank. When some inmates first arrive to prison they vomit profusely several times a day. Medical would test for food allergies, results were negative. Prison officials say that it is normal for inmates to lose 20-50lbs when they first enter prison.
Food:
Dietician states that the quality of food and quantity of food follows guidelines. 2000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. Inmates do not receive fresh fruits at all. Fresh vegetables are boiled to mush. Fresh fruit is not given because the inmates supposedly make “hooch” with it. The meat at some facilities is made from tofu. Meat is 50lbs in a box that is described as gross. This is the same meat for everything. The kitchen staff uses meat flavoring packets to make the meat taste like meat.
Food Preparation:
The amount of food that is made and ordered is according to how many inmates are in the prison. What the prison does not count on is that many inmates will not go to chow or get there then refuse the food. Food Companies hire kitchen staff to work in some prisons. Hired kitchen staff will get bonuses to save food. The saved food is them put into other meals for next day. Everyday there is much food being wasted by inmates and kitchen staff.
Portions:
Portions sizes are not enough for grown adults. The portions are just enough to sustain life. Monday through Friday meals consist of 2 hot meals a day and one cold. On weekends there are only two meals breakfast and dinner. Weekends one enhanced breakfast (still small portions) and normal dinner. A normal breakfast is eggs, oatmeal, milk and canned pineapple. On some yards this is dinner 4 pieces of bread, two pieces of bologna, a cookie, and a bag of chips. A normal lunch is spaghetti, corn, two pieces of garlic bread, and cabbage. Portion sizes are a half cup to a cup. My guinea pigs eat more than the inmates do in a day.
Health:
When proper nutrition is not provided it can cause several health issues. Poor nutrition cause a list of health issues from A-Z The most concerning is the level of brain functioning. The brain controls everything in the body from motor skills to mood changes and everything in between.
Poor nutrition effects the brain. Improper nutrition and it’s side effects on energy, sleep, and mood changes a person’s daily mental functioning and development. Certain foods have been found to affect the brain in the areas of:
- Cognition
- Disease states
- Aging
- Mood disorders
- Senses
- Motor skills
The brain is always active, it requires a high amount of energy that comes primarily from the food and beverages that we consume.
Money:
The government give the prisons millions of dollars a year to house inmates. The prisons get more than enough money feed inmates. The companies they have contracts with to provide food can afford to supply much better food to the inmates. Inmates are buying so much food from the commissaries and getting food boxes because they are hungry, Commissary and food boxes are also better food than what they serve. Families are spending hundreds of dollars a month food for the commissary and food boxes. This should not happen. Prisons are wasting thousands of dollars a day for the food and food preparation.
Do the Math:
On average prisons get $1,475 a month per inmate for food. The companies are not spending that money on the food otherwise food would not be refused by inmates or thrown away. There would also be much BIGGER portions. Inmates would be much healthier and weight would not be lost when entering the prison. Families would not have to spend thousands of dollars a year to feed their loved ones when they are supposed to be getting fed in prison.
Food for thought:
Think of the inmates that do not have family. What about the families that struggle or cannot afford to send money every week or month to their loved one? Food would make the inmates much happier and not as cranky! The brain works much better when it has food!
What are your thoughts?
What goes on in your in your State?