What are we feeding our inmates?

The current economic downturn has caused some states to consider serving inmates less food to save money. Because South Carolina has been reported to have the lowest meal costs at $1.13/day per inmate, this study analyzed nutritional value of its prison meals. Menus were obtained from the South Caro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of correctional health care Vol. 18; no. 3; p. 210
Main Authors Collins, Shayda A, Thompson, Sharon H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.2012
Subjects
Adult
Cost Savings - methods
Female
Food Services - economics
Food Services - standards
Guideline Adherence - economics
Guideline Adherence - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Nutrition Assessment
Nutrition Policy
Prisons - economics
Prisons - standards
Prisons - statistics & numerical data
South Carolina
South Carolina
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Summary:The current economic downturn has caused some states to consider serving inmates less food to save money. Because South Carolina has been reported to have the lowest meal costs at $1.13/day per inmate, this study analyzed nutritional value of its prison meals. Menus were obtained from the South Carolina Department of Corrections and a county detention center. Analysis of adherence to Dietary Reference Intake recommendations revealed higher levels of cholesterol, sodium, and sugar and lower levels of fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin E than recommended. Increasing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and reducing sodium and sugar in inmate meals may improve health, decrease chronic disease, reduce medical costs, and benefit taxpayers.
ISSN:1940-5200
DOI:10.1177/1078345812444875