Nutraloaf
Nutraloaf is a food loaf served as punishment to unruly prisoners in many United States prisons. The Nutraloaf recipe varies widely, but often includes potato flakes, imitation cheese, beans, ground beef, cubed bread, and other foods. Because eating it does not require utensils, it is considered an ideal food to serve to prisoners who have attempted to use forks or spoons to unlock their cell or stab other inmates or guards.
Currently inmates in Vermont are suing over the use of Nutraloaf as punishment. Vermont law does not allow for a change in diet to be used as punishment for bad behavior. The Vermont Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case March 24, 2008. This is only the most recent of a number of lawsuits brought by prisoners protesting the use of Nutraloaf as punishment.
Many of the prisoners who are fed Nutraloaf have assaulted guards and thrown their feces. Several states have banned the practice, while others require the guards to follow a set of disciplinary procedures before Nutraloaf is given.
Fast Facts:
- Many prisoners would rather go hungry than to eat this meal
- Has been used for years across the country
- Served on a single piece of paper
- No utensils are required to eat, thus no utensils for the inmates to throw
- So high in fiber it can cause gastric illness
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