Monday mornings can be so enlightening. When I come into the office to start off my week, one of the first things I do is review stories that have been brought to my attention through Google Alerts. The articles range from the educational to the amusing to the thought-provoking.
I would characterize one I read from the LaCrosse (Wis.) Tribune as somewhere between amusing and thought-provoking. The story reported on a proposal by a Wisconsin state legislator to reduce the number of meals served to inmates in state correctional facilities from three to two. The proposal also would include a provision to have inmates pay for a portion of their prescription drug costs.
First, I chuckled. Then, I thought, what is this man thinking?
Rep. Mark Radcliffe, D-Black River Falls, was quoted as saying the move would save the state $5 million a year in food costs. The legislation would provide an exemption for medical reasons.
In the article, a dietitian is quoted as saying that, so long as caloric requirements are met, serving two meals a day would not adversely affect inmates.
Of course, providing three meals a day in a prison isn’t about meeting nutritional requirements. Any warden or foodservice director will tell you it’s about maintaining routine and safety, both for inmates and staff. Historically, most prison riots have started in cafeterias, mainly because it’s one of the few places inmates ever get to congregate in a large group. And although the riot might not be about the food, prison staffs will do almost anything to avoid giving inmates a reason to be frustrated.
Imagine what any group of people would be like, gathering in a communal hall for dinner after not eating anything since breakfast—or, worse, sitting down for lunch after not eating anything since the prior evening. It’s not a pleasant picture.
Perhaps the most unsettling thought is that this is not the first time this measure has been proposed. A lawmaker in Tennessee tried a similar move last year, without success. To Wisconsin’s credit, legislators there aren’t being any quicker to embrace this ill-fated suggestion.