In Florida Polk County's Jail Reduces Its Budget By Reducing Its Food

Prisoners in Polk County, Florida get their three squares a day but there are no extras going on their plates. They are offered water or powdered milk and there is no coffee to get them started in the morning.

With money tight and the need to not seek more from taxpayers who are law abiding Sheriff Grady Judd has trimmed down the food costs going for just the basics. If the prisoners don't let the new meal plan he suggests that they don't commit a crime and buy their own. No longer will the inmates be given cornbread or fresh eggs. Beloved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a thing of the past also. By being tough Judd has slashed $195,000 from the jail's budget. The ultimate goal is a $200,000 cut. Judd is almost there.

“These are tough budget times, and every penny we save is a penny we don’t have to ask the taxpayer for,” Judd said in a press release. “If inmates want to eat pb&j sandwiches and drink coffee, tea, and juice, they need to behave, quit violating the law, and stay out of the county jail.”

Crackers have replaced cornbread. That one change saves taxpayers $33,304 a year. By cutting out tea and juice the jail is saving $56,630 a year. The new breakfast will include only one slice of bread instead of the prior two. That slice reduction cut another $25,116 off of the kitchen costs at the jail. In a time when those who obey the law have a hard time feeding a family it is only right that prisoners that are provided with all of their meals don't have extra frills.