(x-posted at All Voices)

The AP reported this week that inmates in Vermont prisons are suing the Vermont Prison System for cruel and unusual punishment: disgusting dinner food.

Instead of the processed meat and cheese-heavy dinners served throughout most of America’s prison system, the worst offenders in Vermont (particularly those inmates with a history of disruptive and dangerous behavior at meal times) are served Nutraloaf: a mixture of cubed whole wheat bread, nondairy cheese, raw carrots, spinach, raisins, beans, vegetable oil, tomato paste, powdered milk and dehydrated potato flakes.

The prison system argues that the “square meal” is nutritionally complete. More importantly, because it can be served without utensils or trays, it doubles as an effective tool for behavior control. Speaking about Nutraloaf, Vermont Corrections Commissioner Rob Hofmann said:

“It’s commonplace in other states as a way of providing nutrition in a mechanism that dissuades inmates from throwing feces, urine, trays and silverware.” (Indeed, the “prison loaf” technique is utilized across the country.)

Things could be worse, argues Vermont Department of Corrections staff, Robert Kupec Jr. The Rutland Herald reported that, “the old method [for discouraging disruptive behavior at meals] was to blend up the prison’s regular meal and give it to the prisoners to drink, when they couldn’t be given trays or utensils.” In comparison to a Willy Wonka-style meal in a drink, Kupec calls Nutraloaf a “much better alternative.”

The prisoners, however, argue otherwise claiming that the inedible Nutraloaf goes above-and-beyond typical punishment.

Honestly, with its mishmash of whole food ingredients, Nutraloaf sounds not unlike some of the casseroles I ate at the hippie coop I lived in during college. And it is likely healthier in many respects than the typical hormone-injected, canned meat fare. In the context of a prison, however, where every move is monitored and an inmate’s entire context of living is framed by punishment, it’s not surprising to hear about inmates suing over a meal. Comfort food might be the only form of daily comfort they can rely on.

The suit made its way to the Vermont Supreme Court yesterday. While the judge deliberates, Vermont inmates should perhaps suggest a transfer to the Parappana Agrahara prison in Bangalore India, where the food is supposedly so tasty, that inmates often refuse to accept bail.