Prison food
Whether or not a prison has breached an inmate's religious dietary rights is now judged from the cases of Turner and O'Lone.
[3] Inmates may also purchase food at the prison commissary, such as chocolate bars, beef jerky, honey, peanut butter, bread, ramen noodles, coffee, and snack cakes.
[4][better source needed] As of October 2, 2016, federal prisons offer their inmates a vegan meal option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
[7] State prisons often prefer to conduct their own inspections; however, they may opt for accreditation from a nonprofit organization such as the American Correctional Association.
[9] It is no longer allowed for family to bring food nor share with loved ones behind bars; rather, families can transfer money for a fee to allow inmates to purchase packaged foods such as prepared noodle packages and candy from the prison store.
[9] In U.S. federal prisons, breakfasts usually consist of a Danish pastry, hot or cold cereal, and milk.
The other two meals of the day include foods such as chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, lasagna, burritos, tacos, and fish patties.
They are employed in the kitchen on a paid or unpaid basis, and their assignment to particular tasks depends primarily on their education and skills.
The food rations allocated consider the type of work performed and the age of the convict, and, if possible, also religious and cultural requirements.
For example, a female who was not in condition for work would receive around 1+1⁄2 imperial pints (850 ml) of broth and 6 ounces (170 g) of bread.
A male prisoner who was in condition for work would get 2 imperial pints (1,100 ml) of broth and 12 ounces (340 g) of bread.
[citation needed] The move towards privatization of meal preparation and rationing resulted in numerous changes from historical practices.
[citation needed] Meals are generally not made from seasonal produce, but instead use convenience foods such as canned goods, frozen vegetables, hamburgers and pies.
For lunch prisoners are typically served dishes such as cold pieces of boiled meat, eggs, or skinny chicken bones, white rice, and vegetable soup, and dinner consists of foods such as ful medames (a traditional Egyptian dish of fava beans, vegetable oil, and cumin) with stale bread made from mixed flours.
[21] Historically, prisoners in Bangladesh were served a breakfast of bread and molasses, a practice that had been in place since the British colonial era in the 18th century.
The updated menu includes bread, vegetables, sweets, and khichdi (a spiced rice and lentil dish).
[23] Prisoners in Saudi Arabia are served foods such as bread and sandwiches for breakfast, chicken, mutton, and fish for lunch, and rice and vegetables for dinner.
[24] Kongbap, a dish consisting of white or brown rice cooked together with grains, peas, and beans, is a common staple in Korean prisons.
