Stop complaining about the food. Remember you are in Jail!

Alabama sheriffs feed inmates on $1.75 a day

Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely is shown in the jail kitchen as he discusses feeding prisoners on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, in Athens, Ala. Back in the day of chain gangs, Alabama passed a law that gave sheriffs $1.75 a day to feed each prisoner in their jails, and the sheriffs got to pocket anything that was left over. More than 80 years later, most Alabama counties still operate under this system, with the same $1.75-a-day allowance, and some sheriffs are actually making money on top of their salaries. But exactly how much is something of a mystery because state auditors do not have access to sheriffs' private accounts. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

AP Photo: Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely is shown in the jail kitchen as he discusses feeding...

By JAY REEVES, Associated Press Writer Sat May 17, 12:58 AM ET


- BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Back in the day of chain gangs, Alabama passed a law that gave sheriffs $1.75 a day to feed each prisoner in their jails, and the sheriffs got to pocket anything that was left over. More than 80 years later, most Alabama counties still operate under this system, with the same $1.75-a-day allowance, and some sheriffs are actually making money on top of their salaries.

Is this a corrupt system or not? Or should the prisoners and the public not complain for in other parts of the world millions live day to day on less. Or, according to County Sheriff Shaver "These people eat better here than they eat on the street, and they eat three times a day," offer a better reason to justify this aged old system.


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Jeff D
As long as they are getting fed and its relatively healthy I don't see the problem.
xmangerm
I somewhat agree. Nevertheless, the opportunity for abuse should be closed off by way of independent monitoring.
frederika
[this is good]
I think the amount is fine. As long as it is healthy food. What i find is annoying is the pocketing of money. This encourages sheriffs to cut corners to save money for themselves. If they are spending less than said amount they should use it to fund or supplement another government program - hopefully another one that benefits the prisoners' standard of living.
xmangerm
Thanks for commenting. Pocketing the excess monies is where I have the biggest problem also. In sum, at least we know what to expect if we land in this type of system.

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