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Junk Food In Jails? Mayor Bloomberg Trying To Keep Sweets Out Of NYC Prisons

Posted: May 22, 2012

junk food

Life may get a little more unpleasant for New York prisoners. NYC officials are currently working on a new plan that would ban junk food in jails.

Samantha Levine, spokeswoman for Mayor Bloomberg said:

“As part of the city’s anti-obesity work, we are continuously looking to appropriate steps to improve the food environment in city agencies.”

The Huffington Post reports that the new plan would ban items like soda, potato chips, candy bars, and other unhealthy items from being sold in prisons.

The NY Daily News reports that guards and prison officials aren’t too happy about a junk food ban.

One guard told the NY Daily News: “That’s crazy. They are not going to be happy,”

In addition to unhappy prisoners, the ban could also cost the state money. There are approximately 13,000 inmates in New York City Jails. Those inmates spend about $13 million a year on commissary items. The $13 million accounts for snacks, but also soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.

This isn’t the first time that New York has tried to makes its prisons healthier places. In 2003, the city banned cigarettes from prisons in an effort to cut down on medical costs. But the News reports that medical expenses have actually increased over the last five years. In 2007, the city spent $78 million on medical bills compared to $87 million in 2011.

Do you think junk food should be banned in jails? Will Snickers and Donuts become the new prison currency?



Comments


6 Archived Responses to “ Junk Food In Jails? Mayor Bloomberg Trying To Keep Sweets Out Of NYC Prisons ”

  1. Denise Santini
    May 23, 2012

    This is Rediculous! Let them have their JUNK FOOD! I feel sorry for those prison guards.

  2. Keith Entwistle
    May 23, 2012

    just bread and water should do….and only feed them every other day.

  3. Kim Dearing
    May 23, 2012

    I think that the citys' time and energy could be better spent.

  4. Anonymous
    May 23, 2012

    Prison is almost better than home, cable, phone, junkfood, medical, education, on job training.No wonder prisoners keep going back.They need to bring back the chain gang.Make prisoners work for a living.Right now prison is one step below a country club.

  5. Steven Foellmi
    May 23, 2012

    Get ready for a week (and beyond!) of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST! Would NOT want to be anywhere NEAR those Jails!

  6. Kane Drayne
    May 23, 2012

    Prison one step up from a country club? You're clearly just a poser who has never been to either. Here's what you do: you try going to a maximum security prison for a month, then come out and try saying that again. I'm sure there are no gang rapes, stabbings, abusive guards, 23 hour lockdowns, rats, separation from family, and lack of women at your nearest country club.