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.

• NECN: Inmate punishment by Nutraloaf examined
• <iframe scrolling="no" width="490" height="418" src="http://www.necn.com/video/1/5818"></iframe>
• Topix.net: Nutraloaf
• Google News: Nutraloaf
• WCAX-TV (Vermont): Food for Thought: Is Nutraloaf Punishment? (March 24, 2008)
• Rutland Herald: Inmates sue over special recipe (March 22, 2008)
• The Associated Press: Vt. Inmates Call Food Foul, Sue Over It (March 22, 2008)
• WLNS TV (Michigan): Vermont court to decide if unpopular prison food is punishment (March 22, 2008)
• Eastern Arizona Courier: Jail rioters no match for staff (July 12, 2007)
  • Prisoners rioted, in part, because they were served Nutraloaf.
• Times Argus (Vermont): Vermont jails' new special meal: Penalty or prevention? (November 18, 2005)
• Colorado Springs Independent: Bare-naked humiliation (August 12, 2004)
  • Describes mistreatment of a prisoner with methods including Nutraloaf.
• The Arizona Republic: Factory serves those serving time (August 3, 2005)
  • Prisoners in Maricopa County, Arizona are served Nutraloaf twice a day as punishment if they misbehave.

• Grand Forks Herald: One reason to stay out of jail: Nutraloaf (March 25, 2008)

• kick me-jennifer: A tale of two meatloafs (March 24, 2008)
• Nutwood Journal: Easter dinner at Alcatraz? (March 23, 2008)
• Trackdot Blog: Nutraloaf Clean Up On Aisle Nine! (March 22, 2008)
• MishMash Musings: Prison Food Flap (March 22, 2008)
• Confessions Of A Correctional Officer: First exam finished!
  • Contains recipe for Nutraloaf.(January 16, 2008)
• Yelp Forum: Mmmm... nutraloaf.....
• allnurses.com Nursing Specialty Forums: Food Loaf

• Vermont Department of Corrections: Special Mgt Meals
• Montana State Prisons: Special Management
• Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District: 4-00-0895 (October 30, 2001)
  • Prisoners brought a case to court fighting the use of Nutraloaf as punishment, and won. Court decision includes a recipe.