title: What are we feeding our inmates?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, College of Science, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29528, USA.
authors.forename: Shayda A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Sharon H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017046:Cost Savings / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011330:Prisons / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013022:South Carolina