Category: Corrections

According to one systematic review, between 43% and 73% of incarcerated individuals report weight gain during their sentence, begging the question: How do prisoners get fat in jail? The answer is a complex issue driven by nutritional, psychological, and environmental factors.

With some states spending less than $3 per inmate per day on food, the reality of prison meals is often far from satisfying. This disparity raises serious questions about the nutritional value, portion sizes, and overall adequacy of how much do prisoners get to eat across the United States and worldwide.

According to data from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a significant number of inmates receive special dietary accommodations for health or religious reasons. This practice raises a common question: do prisoners get special diets? The answer is yes, though the specifics depend on documented need and institutional policy.