The Daily Menu: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
For most incarcerated individuals, the daily menu is a repetitive and unappetizing affair, designed for low-cost sustenance rather than optimal health. Meals are typically high in starches and refined carbohydrates, with limited fresh produce and lean protein. While the Federal Bureau of Prisons aims for nutritionally sound meals, local jails and state prisons often operate on much tighter budgets.
Typical Meals in U.S. Correctional Facilities
- Breakfast: Often consists of hot or cold cereal, grits, or oatmeal, served with a small carton of milk. A danish or piece of bread may also be included. The availability of milk is sometimes restricted to breakfast only.
- Lunch: This meal is frequently served cold, consisting of simple sandwiches, such as bologna and cheese, or peanut butter. A piece of fruit, like an apple, might be included, along with a small bag of chips or cookies.
- Dinner: The main hot meal of the day, though the quality varies drastically. Common options include meat patties, hot dogs, lasagna, burritos, and fish patties. Vegetables are often limited and may be canned or frozen. A flavored drink or water is available with lunch and dinner.
The Commissary and Inmate-Created Spreads
Due to the poor quality and quantity of institutional food, many inmates rely heavily on the prison commissary, a store where they can purchase supplemental items. However, the items are often expensive and nutritionally poor, consisting of instant ramen, chips, cookies, and sugary snacks. For those with money from family or prison jobs, the commissary is a lifeline. In response to inadequate food and a desire for variety, inmates also develop their own meals, known as "spreads," using commissary items and creativity.
Inmate Food Culture
- Spreads: These communal meals are often made with ingredients like ramen noodles, canned tuna, and hot sauce, cooked with hot water.
- Creative Desserts: Treats are created using crushed cookies, peanut butter, and candy, molding them into something resembling a cake.
- Trading: Inmates with money can trade commissary goods for other items or services, creating a hidden economy around food.
Special Diets and Health Implications
Prisons are legally required to provide for inmates' medical and religious dietary needs, though enforcement and quality can be inconsistent. Requests for vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher meals must be accommodated, as must special diets for conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Despite these requirements, nutritional shortcomings are widespread, leading to serious health issues for the incarcerated population. High-sodium, high-sugar diets contribute to diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. The reliance on expensive commissary snacks also exacerbates these health problems. Studies have found that nutritional deficiencies can also impact mental health, increasing aggression and anxiety. For more information on the public health crisis surrounding correctional food, see the report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The Darker Side: Spoiled Food and Disciplinary Loaves
Beyond being merely unappealing, prison food is sometimes unsafe. As highlighted in the introduction, a significant portion of inmates have reported being served spoiled food. This risk to health and dignity has led to complaints and, in some cases, violence. In extreme disciplinary cases, a concoction called "nutraloaf"—a bland, blended loaf of food—has been used as punishment. The controversial use of nutraloaf has been challenged in court as potentially cruel and unusual punishment.
Institutional Failures in Food Service
- Outsourcing: Many prisons contract with private companies, like Aramark, to manage food service, often leading to lower standards and reduced costs at the expense of quality.
- Low Budget: Some states spend as little as a dollar or two per inmate per day on food, making it nearly impossible to provide nutritious, satisfying meals.
- Inadequate Portions: Numerous reports and surveys indicate that portion sizes are insufficient, leaving inmates hungry between meals.
Comparison Table: Prison Meal vs. Recommended Daily Intake
| Metric | Typical Prison Meal | Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Excessive, high in refined carbs | Balanced with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables |
| Fresh Vegetables | Rare; often canned or frozen | Recommended 2-3 servings per day |
| Fruit | Limited (e.g., one apple); often lacks variety | Recommended 1.5-2 servings per day |
| Lean Protein | Limited and often processed meats (hot dogs) | Emphasis on lean sources like chicken, fish, legumes |
| Sodium | Excessively high due to processed ingredients | Monitored and limited intake |
Conclusion
What kind of food do they feed you in jail is a matter of basic nutrition, human rights, and public health. The reality is that institutional diets are often bland, nutritionally inadequate, and sometimes even unsafe, driven by cost-cutting measures. While policies exist to address special dietary needs, the systemic failures in providing wholesome food perpetuate health problems and contribute to inmate hunger and unrest. Inmate resourcefulness through commissary and homemade 'spreads' highlights both a desire for better nutrition and the deep flaws in the system. Improving correctional food isn't just about humane treatment; it's a public health issue that impacts individuals long after their release.
