What prison food in the US really looks like, and why some inmates refuse to eat it

Table of Contents

Since the US has local, state, and federally run jails and prisons, an inmate’s plate varies depending on where they are in the country, 9 News reported.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

Cereal, fruit, bread, and sugar packets were on the breakfast menu for US inmates in 2020, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

For lunch in US prisons, bread, a fruit, a vegetable, and some kind of protein, like beans, are standard.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

Some US prisons spend less than $1 on each inmate’s meal, the Marshall Project, a nonprofit publication that covers the US criminal justice system, reported in 2015.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

Some inmates are so repulsed by certain meals that they skip them.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

Barbara, an inmate from A E’s documentary series 60 Days In, previously told Insider that the beans in jail were so inedible that she frequently skipped dinner and didn’t eat until breakfast the next day.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

Another inmate on the show, Tami, called the prison meals depressing.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

But prison food doesn’t just taste bad reports indicate that it’s also making some inmates sick.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

A CDC study found that between 1998 and 2014, inmates suffered from a food related illness 6.4 times more than the general population.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

The nutraloaf is a punishment meal given to some US inmates because it’s so disgusting.

The brick-like meal is typically made from tomato paste, potato flakes, and beans, Business Insider previously reported.

While it has been banned in a handful of states, WUFT and Fox12 Oregon have reported as recently as 2017 that the horrible food is still being served in some states, like Florida and Oregon.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

Inmates at some US prisons have gone on hunger strikes to protest horrid conditions including the terrible food.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

While prison meals in the US might look like the worst school lunch you’ve ever had …

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

… other countries have it much better.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

One prison in Italy has a bakery inside of it where inmates make desserts like Panettone a traditional Italian Christmas cake, Reuters reported in 2014.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

A 2015 New York Times opinion piece reported that inmates in Germany had access to kitchens and were able to purchase fresh food with wages from vocational programs.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

In Incarceration Nations A Journey to Justice in Prisons Around the World, Baz Dreisinger reports that a prison in Norway has its own nature reserve that grows 25% of the prison’s food.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

We don’t know what Angeli’s organic meals in detention look like, but we doubt he’s eating Nutraloaves.

Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article

17/17 SLIDES

Opens in a new window
Opens an external site
Opens an external site in a new window

Tags: eat food inmates prison refuse

What prison food in the US really looks like, and why some inmates refuse to eat it

Since the US has local, state, and federally run jails and prisons, an inmate’s plate varies depending on where they are in the country, 9 News reported.

Cereal, fruit, bread, and sugar packets were on the breakfast menu for US inmates in 2020, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

For lunch in US prisons, bread, a fruit, a vegetable, and some kind of protein, like beans, are standard.

Some US prisons spend less than $1 on each inmate’s meal, the Marshall Project, a nonprofit publication that covers the US criminal justice system, reported in 2015.

Some inmates are so repulsed by certain meals that they skip them.

Barbara, an inmate from A E’s documentary series 60 Days In, previously told Insider that the beans in jail were so inedible that she frequently skipped dinner and didn’t eat until breakfast the next day.

Another inmate on the show, Tami, called the prison meals depressing.

But prison food doesn’t just taste bad reports indicate that it’s also making some inmates sick.

A CDC study found that between 1998 and 2014, inmates suffered from a food related illness 6.4 times more than the general population.

The nutraloaf is a punishment meal given to some US inmates because it’s so disgusting.

Inmates at some US prisons have gone on hunger strikes to protest horrid conditions including the terrible food.

While prison meals in the US might look like the worst school lunch you’ve ever had …

… other countries have it much better.

One prison in Italy has a bakery inside of it where inmates make desserts like Panettone a traditional Italian Christmas cake, Reuters reported in 2014.

A 2015 New York Times opinion piece reported that inmates in Germany had access to kitchens and were able to purchase fresh food with wages from vocational programs.

In Incarceration Nations A Journey to Justice in Prisons Around the World, Baz Dreisinger reports that a prison in Norway has its own nature reserve that grows 25% of the prison’s food.

We don’t know what Angeli’s organic meals in detention look like, but we doubt he’s eating Nutraloaves.

Send MSN Feedback

More Stories

Delicious & Nutritious: Easy Healthy Recipes for Every Plate

Delicious Path to Vitality: How Healthy Eating Fuels a Vibrant Life

The Joyful Plate: Savoring Nutritious Eating for a Vibrant Life

Guest Posting Campaign Management for Food and Culture Writers

Planning Better Breakfast Events in Sydney: A Practical Catering Guide

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Diet That Actually Works

5-Minute Magic: Quick & Delicious Recipes That Taste Like Hours in the Kitchen

Since the US has local, state, and federally run jails and prisons, an inmate’s plate varies depending on where they are in the country, 9 News reported.

Cereal, fruit, bread, and sugar packets were on the breakfast menu for US inmates in 2020, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

For lunch in US prisons, bread, a fruit, a vegetable, and some kind of protein, like beans, are standard.

Some US prisons spend less than $1 on each inmate’s meal, the Marshall Project, a nonprofit publication that covers the US criminal justice system, reported in 2015.

Some inmates are so repulsed by certain meals that they skip them.

Barbara, an inmate from A E’s documentary series 60 Days In, previously told Insider that the beans in jail were so inedible that she frequently skipped dinner and didn’t eat until breakfast the next day.

Another inmate on the show, Tami, called the prison meals depressing.

But prison food doesn’t just taste bad reports indicate that it’s also making some inmates sick.

A CDC study found that between 1998 and 2014, inmates suffered from a food related illness 6.4 times more than the general population.

The nutraloaf is a punishment meal given to some US inmates because it’s so disgusting.

Inmates at some US prisons have gone on hunger strikes to protest horrid conditions including the terrible food.

While prison meals in the US might look like the worst school lunch you’ve ever had …

… other countries have it much better.

One prison in Italy has a bakery inside of it where inmates make desserts like Panettone a traditional Italian Christmas cake, Reuters reported in 2014.

A 2015 New York Times opinion piece reported that inmates in Germany had access to kitchens and were able to purchase fresh food with wages from vocational programs.

In Incarceration Nations A Journey to Justice in Prisons Around the World, Baz Dreisinger reports that a prison in Norway has its own nature reserve that grows 25% of the prison’s food.

We don’t know what Angeli’s organic meals in detention look like, but we doubt he’s eating Nutraloaves.

Send MSN Feedback

More Stories

Delicious & Nutritious: Easy Healthy Recipes for Every Plate

Delicious Path to Vitality: How Healthy Eating Fuels a Vibrant Life

The Joyful Plate: Savoring Nutritious Eating for a Vibrant Life

You may have missed

Guest Posting Campaign Management for Food and Culture Writers

Planning Better Breakfast Events in Sydney: A Practical Catering Guide

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Diet That Actually Works

5-Minute Magic: Quick & Delicious Recipes That Taste Like Hours in the Kitchen