Jail Food

[kbtoyssni]

I have no idea what forum to post this in. I was wondering if anyone knew if you can get gluten-free food in jail? No, I am not planning on going to jail anytime soon. It's just that every time I turn on the news it's about Paris Hilton in jail and they had a story on jail food and how it cost $.18 per meal. The stuff looked like slop. And then I wondered if they can accommodate people on special diets. And then I wondered about CC in the jail kitchen. And then I figured I'd ask all of you for your opinions

[blueeyedmanda]

I have to say that is an interesting question. The stuff does look nasty. Yes, paris is all over the news.

[Lisa]

I have no idea what forum to post this in. I was wondering if anyone knew if you can get gluten-free food in jail? No, I am not planning on going to jail anytime soon. It's just that every time I turn on the news it's about Paris Hilton in jail and they had a story on jail food and how it cost $.18 per meal. The stuff looked like slop. And then I wondered if they can accommodate people on special diets. And then I wondered about CC in the jail kitchen. And then I figured I'd ask all of you for your opinions

Glad you're not planning a stay! In our local jail, the food is supplied by our local hospital. The Disability Act should come into play here...as an incarcerated diabetic would not be denied medical needs.

Sadly, I have to admit that I am anxious to hear what Paris has to say about here "life-altering experience".

[jerseyangel]

How funny--I wondered the same thing!

I would think they'd have to make the necessary adjustments, but I'll bet they don't pay real close attention to CC.

[2Boys4Me]

Oddly enough, Ty has been on this "bad guy" kick lately. What if a bad guy came into our house, etc. One time he said, "What if I grow up to be a bad guy?" I told him he wasn't allowed and that they didn't serve gluten-free food in jail. However my sister, who has been working with "bad guys" a long time - including at a medium security prison, says they will tend to his food needs. (He's still not allowed to be a bad guy.)

[Guest Doll]

I have no idea what forum to post this in. I was wondering if anyone knew if you can get gluten-free food in jail? No, I am not planning on going to jail anytime soon. It's just that every time I turn on the news it's about Paris Hilton in jail and they had a story on jail food and how it cost $.18 per meal. The stuff looked like slop. And then I wondered if they can accommodate people on special diets. And then I wondered about CC in the jail kitchen. And then I figured I'd ask all of you for your opinions

What the "official" position is....I assume that yes, you will get a "gluten free" meal *if* you request it and you have an official Dx of Celiac by an MD (which is yet another reason to make sure you actually get Dx'd ). They have to at least try and accommodate a valid medical condition. If you don't actually have documented Celiac or a gluten allergy, I am almost sure they will deny your request.

Now, since it IS a jail, I can't say how reliable the kitchen will be. We all know that jails are "supposed" to give diabetics their insulin and food, but there have been many cases of (Type 1) diabetics who have died while in jail.

I would say, make Celiac another reason to avoid jail.

[jerseyangel]

I would say, make Celiac another reason to avoid jail.

Add to that the fact that the toilet is right in the cell--out in the open

[DingoGirl]

Add to that the fact that the toilet is right in the cell--out in the open

and what about those thin, disgusting mattresses, and the paper thin pillows.....oh my gaaaaaaawd.....I would NEVER sleep in jail - - need three down pillows, clean, crisp, high-thread-count cotton sheets......fabulous mattress......at least a queen size....and the fan blowing on me at all times - white noise - - and NO, could never sleep with a toilet next to my HEAD!!!!!

but I think Paris is going to come out of there emaciated.....even if I were not Celiac, I would have a hard time eating that gruel.....

my dear friend went through the whole prison guard program - oops - Corrections Officer - - - told me the most gruesome things - - - and some of it about the slop the prisoners ate - - ZOIGS - -

[SunnyDyRain]

and what about those thin, disgusting mattresses, and the paper thin pillows.....oh my gaaaaaaawd.....I would NEVER sleep in jail - - need three down pillows, clean, crisp, high-thread-count cotton sheets......fabulous mattress......at least a queen size....and the fan blowing on me at all times - white noise - - and NO, could never sleep with a toilet next to my HEAD!!!!!

but I think Paris is going to come out of there emaciated.....even if I were not Celiac, I would have a hard time eating that gruel.....

my dear friend went through the whole prison guard program - oops - Corrections Officer - - - told me the most gruesome things - - - and some of it about the slop the prisoners ate - - ZOIGS - -

I think Paris went in there emaciated!

My boyfriend's uncle works at the local jail as a psych nurse and has to help give diabetics and other ill people their drugs. I'll ask him next time if he has any idea about gluten free meals. He and his wife and his sister-in-law (my boyfriend's mother) all are nurses.

[DingoGirl]

I think Paris went in there emaciated!

oops - - - I meant to say........well, what's beyond emaciated? probably skeletal. I actually think her "medical release" reason was a nervous breakdown.......

I bet the gluten-free diet would be very difficult in a jail situation - I mean, even hospitals can't get it right........and there's no money in the budget for food......so what would the Celiac prisoner eat? surely not meats/chicken/fish/veggies and gluten-free bread.....wouldn't this perceived dietary supremacy possibly make the woeful Celiac a target?

as you can see I"ve given this some thought. What I"m most concerned about is the stretches of days and weeks of insomnia I'd have in jail........ oh and the horrid linens.......

[Mosaics]

I've thought about that, too. Especially since I heard on the news that Paris claimed she couldn't eat the prison food. "Well," I thought, "I probably couldn't either." Wouldn't that be awful - getting glutened all the time? I'd be a miserable ole' trout.

I've also thought how awful it would be if I had to go into a concentration camp. No special meals there.

[WorkNsurf]

hmmmm, probably a good idea to keep some kind of card or doctors note in the wallet declaring your condition. if anything happens then theyll know whats up.

[SunnyDyRain]

hmmmm, probably a good idea to keep some kind of card or doctors note in the wallet declaring your condition. if anything happens then theyll know whats up.

I actually have a post it note on my insurance card that I'm gluten intolerant. There has been some discussion about medical alert braclets. It was mentioned that they don't need to know about it ASAP when treating you in ER but once admitted they need to know. Even if they do gluten you in the ER, I don't know if it would really kill you. I figure after I am out of harm, then they will go to try to bill me, and then they will find my insurance card.

[ItchyMeredith]

What about the military?

Do they have gluten free meals in the mess hall? What about MREs?

[Saz]

I would assume that you would get gluten-free slop. The cc would be the major issue tho.

[psawyer]

What about the military?

Do they have gluten free meals in the mess hall? What about MREs?

My understanding, and this has been discussed at length here some time ago, is that celiac is a disqualifying condition. You don't get into the military, and if you are already there, you get an immediate medical discharge.

Jail food, hmm, I guess if you wait long enough every possible topic will come up on this discussion forum...

[ptkds]

My dh is a correctional officer. From what he has told me about the food there, I don't think you could get a gluten-free meal. My dh works for a state prison, so that is different than county. They run their own kitchens, and they have certain inmates cook all the meals. So I think it would be impossible to safely eat there. (gluten-free or not )

ptkds

[DingoGirl]

I actually have a post it note on my insurance card that I'm gluten intolerant. There has been some discussion about medical alert braclets. It was mentioned that they don't need to know about it ASAP when treating you in ER but once admitted they need to know. Even if they do gluten you in the ER, I don't know if it would really kill you. I figure after I am out of harm, then they will go to try to bill me, and then they will find my insurance card.

They will find the card....but most likely they will have no idea how to strictly adhere to a gluten-free diet. I know someone on here was hospitalized not so long ago and they gave her Rice Krispies.....etc. The horrors go on and on.

I would assume that you would get gluten-free slop. The cc would be the major issue tho.

IS there such a thing as gluten-free slop? doubtful.....

Jail food, hmm, I guess if you wait long enough every possible topic will come up on this discussion forum...

indeed.

BTW the martini looks lovely but very dry. I go for the sweeter drinks.....it's mojitos in summer here.

My dh is a correctional officer. From what he has told me about the food there, I don't think you could get a gluten-free meal. My dh works for a state prison, so that is different than county. They run their own kitchens, and they have certain inmates cook all the meals. So I think it would be impossible to safely eat there. (gluten-free or not )

ptkds

well then we must all be quite certain and take extra care never to end up in prison.

[ENF]

My understanding, and this has been discussed at length here some time ago, is that celiac is a disqualifying condition. You don't get into the military, and if you are already there, you get an immediate medical discharge.

Jail food, hmm, I guess if you wait long enough every possible topic will come up on this discussion forum...

I wonder if they'd make gluten-free SOS?

[Kaycee]

Have just heard that Paris has been released.

We even hear about her over here.

Cathy

[darlindeb25]

Firstly, in Michigan, I have a very good friend who is a cook in a county jail and those people eat very well. I also have a son who has been a "bad boy" and has spend a little time there. He never complained about the food.

I have been reading "The Gluten Free Bible" by Jax Peters Lowell. When someone asked him about gluten-free food in prison, he states,

"Not even Martha Stewart has enough pull to order gluten-free French Toast in a federal prison. Cushy or barbed wire, locked down or wide open, the rules are the same. Alan Schwartz, Regional Food Director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, tells me the only diets available to prisoners are those eaten for religious purposes, e.g., kosher for Jewish prisoners and followers of Islam and vegetaranism, or as the prison system so quaintly calls it, "no flesh". Whether it's wheat, gluten, lactose, peanut, tree nut, or casein, diabetes, low-cholesterol, or low salt, I am told it is incumbent upon each inmate to manage his/her special diet by asking to see an ingredient label, which will be available and to self-inspect the proper food. Prison is punishment. They do not go out of their way to make it easy.

I agree, prison or jail is a punishment and they shouldn't go out of their way to make it easy for the person. I used to be on a county fairboard and prisoners were released to us on work details. On hot days, the prisoner could say he didn't want to work, so that he could stay in the air conditioning. I didn't have air then, why shoud they. My son has spent time in jail and that was his choice, well, not really his choice, but he allowed it to happen.

[ravenwoodglass]

My understanding, and this has been discussed at length here some time ago, is that celiac is a disqualifying condition. You don't get into the military, and if you are already there, you get an immediate medical discharge.

Thats correct and heaven help you if you are in and it is triggered as the military is for the most part as clueless as regular doctors. Been there, no fun.

[Guest Doll]

I actually have a post it note on my insurance card that I'm gluten intolerant. There has been some discussion about medical alert bracelets. It was mentioned that they don't need to know about it ASAP when treating you in ER but once admitted they need to know. Even if they do gluten you in the ER, I don't know if it would really kill you. I figure after I am out of harm, then they will go to try to bill me, and then they will find my insurance card.

Smart move. I have to wear a Medical Alert Bracelet anyway (see sig.), and react almost like I have an allergy to gluten, so I have "Celiac Disease" right on my bracelet. I also have a Medical Alert card that explains in detail what must be avoided on the diet, but I never carry it with me anyway...I figure, if I'm unconscious it's not like they'll be giving me anything by mouth...

It's really hard to get a gluten free meal even in the hospital. When I was in the hospital to have the cause of my unexpected low blood sugars investigated, I asked for a snack and the nurse offered me a sandwich. Even though she was looking at my chart at the time (which clearly had "Celiac Disease" written in it). Doh! It was especially scary considering that gluten also causes me to have severe low blood sugars, so I would be in dire straits here on my way to a coma. It IS true that hospitals will kill you!

The nest morning a competent nurse actually ordered breakfast for me from the kitchen. I got 1 slice of gluten free bread, jam, and an apple. I was thrilled. Seriously. I was so hungry, I wanted to eat the sheet from my bed.

That said, make sure that all of your medical files say that you need a gluten free diet, you have a bracelet, and push for what you need. I hate to say it, but the average hospital (or jail for that matter!) worker will not go out of their way to make sure you have a gluten free meal.

[Guest Doll]

My understanding, and this has been discussed at length here some time ago, is that celiac is a disqualifying condition. You don't get into the military, and if you are already there, you get an immediate medical discharge.

Jail food, hmm, I guess if you wait long enough every possible topic will come up on this discussion forum...

This is correct. The one exception to this may be in Finland. Finland has the highest rate of Type 1 diabetes (the severe non-preventable insulin requiring kind) in the world, and is the only country that I am aware of that allows Type 1 diabetics into service. Since Type 1 diabetes and Celiac are genetically related, Finland also has very high rates of Celiac Disease. It is entirely possible that Finnish Celiacs are allowed to enter military service, but I am only assuming and not 100% sure.

[Rosewynde]

I'm not sure about jail, but I had problems with Lactose free diet in the hospital. When I was pregnant with my youngest I had all sorts of problems that docs thought were related to a really high lactose intolerance and an imbalance of the stomach due to a nasty flu bug. We think now it was the begining of Celiac Disease. When I gave birth, I told the nurse about not being able to handle any milk products at all, even small amounts. Sad thing was pretty much every meal had milk, butter, cheese, or some other source of dairy in it. I got sick after the first meal despite being as careful as possible.

The final solution came from the nurse. She suggested that my husband bring stuff in and they'd keep it refrigerated and serve it to me. This line of thought made me wonder if they allow that in jail, or do you think they'd be to afraid of a metal file for the bars being baked into the bread hahaah ; D