This drawing represents actual food trays served at my prison, where menus are rarely followed and portions are small.
In 2022, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation made changes to the menu with the goal of providing healthier meals to prisoners. Since then, I have gone from 230 pounds to 173.
At first I was happy about my weight loss. But I began feeling hungry all the time.
The food served in prison is not very good. Some prisoners have money on their books that allows them to supplement the unpleasant and diminished portions with food from commissary, the prison corner store, but others have to make due with what they are served.
The people who work in the main kitchen sometimes smuggle food items back to their cells to sell to the highest bidder or to their friends. In the past, this made me angry and disappointed. It feels like my own people are kicking me while I’m down.
Sometimes they get caught sneaking the food back. At this point, the food is considered contaminated, so officers must confiscate it and throw it away.
Nobody wins. We all starve.
