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Prison Food

An incarcerated person wearing food preparation gloves adds French fries to a food tray that contains a hamburger and a small bag of baby carrots.
Closing Argument March 8
The Big Business of Bad Prison Food
A market analysis said the food service industry in U.S. prisons and jails is worth billions — and is forecasted to grow.
By
A man, wearing a blue prison uniform, white T-shirt, tan cap, and glasses, holds onto two yellow bins in front of an industrial ice cream machine.
Closing Argument February 3, 2024
The Food on Your Table, Brought to You By Prison Labor
Incarcerated workers help produce some of America’s most popular food brands, but get few of the benefits and protections afforded to others.
By
The cover of News Inside Issue 13. You can download the PDF <a href="https://d63kb4t2ifcex.cloudfront.net/upload/assets/news-inside-issue-13.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a>
News Inside March 28, 2023
Y’all Want It, We Got It
Issue 13 of News Inside fills reader requests and gives them something new to think about.
By
A hotdog with a tortilla, a cup of mush and a raw potato.
News January 20, 2023
‘Pig Slop’ No More? Texas Prisons Detail Plan To Improve Food
The move follows our investigation revealing meals of raw potatoes, moldy bread.
By
Life Inside August 4, 2022
Prison Money Diaries: What People Really Make (and Spend) Behind Bars
We asked people in prison to track their earning and spending — and bartering and side hustles — for 30 days. Their accounts reveal a thriving underground economy behind bars.
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Issue 9 of News Inside. Download the PDF <a href="https://d63kb4t2ifcex.cloudfront.net/upload/assets/news-inside-issue-9.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
News Inside November 17, 2021
Have It Your Way
Issue 9 of News Inside meets you where you are.
By
At the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, prisoners have told their families that they have gathered snow into buckets so that they can flush dorm toilets.
News February 19, 2021
Inside Frigid Texas Prisons: Broken Toilets, Disgusting Food, Few Blankets
The deep freeze has been terrible for many Texans, but prisoners have little way to get warm.
By
Coronavirus May 11, 2020
Ewwwww, What Is That?
Coronavirus has made Texas prison food even more gross.
By
Life Inside May 16, 2019
I Lost 25 Pounds in 4 Months Eating Prison Food
“I couldn’t wait to go home, restart my life—and eat a diet that didn’t kill me.”
By Peter Inserra
Life Inside January 17, 2019
I'm in Prison During the Shutdown. I Didn't Get "Holiday Steak."
There will be beans (there's always beans). And half of a chicken.
By Seth Piccolo
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