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Local News 
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Jail inmates’ meal complaint omits a crucial fact We get letters.One rolled in from the Snohomish County Jail, apparently signed by 36 inmates. They had a complaint: They got a sack meal on Thanksgiving with a sandwich made from what looked and tasted like “cat food.” Funny how many knew the taste of cat food. And “Waaaaah.” They also got soggy corn chips. The meal amounted to “cruel and unusual punishment” according to the letter. Not so fast, says Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Rebecca Hover. A little something was left out of the note. “I guess your letter writers forgot to mention they got a hot turkey dinner with the fixins’ (including cranberry sauce, dressing and pumpkin cake) at noon on Thanksgiving Day,” Hover says. “They were served a sack supper which included turkey-salad sandwiches, fruit, cookies and chips.” The main meal was served at noon so the cooks could go home early and spend at least part of the holiday with their families, she added. Hover says she doesn’t think the writers will find many sympathetic ears amongst the taxpayers of Snohomish County. “Given these tough economic times, I’m sure there were many in our community who couldn’t afford a hot turkey dinner at all.” They are filled with holiday spirit in Mountlake Terrace, on a budget. The tree on top of the city water tower is a frame constructed with more than 1,800 lights. They were able to use twice as many lights, compared with previous years, because the LED bulbs use only 25 percent of the electricity of incandescent bulbs. Join a Project Linus Make-a-Blanket event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Super Supplements, 19925 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood. “I work at Super Sups, and one of our customers asked for a donation for Project Linus,” says Lynne Ludlum. “The store event is a one-time fundraiser.” Project Linus groups make quilts, fleece blankets and afghans for ill or traumatized children in Snohomish County. Project Linus volunteers will be at the store collecting new, homemade, quilted or tied, knit or crocheted machine-washable blankets. Others will be sewing blankets. They are also seeking volunteers to donate time at work parties or Make-a-Blanket days. They also need batting, fabric, thread, yarn, sewing notions, sewing machines and cash. For more information, go to www.projectlinus.org. Merry Haven Care Center needs stuffed animals and teddy bears by Dec. 18. Please take donations to 800 10th St., Snohomish. Activity director Connie Ennis says they hope to deliver the presents, from Santa Claus, to elderly residents at Christmas. Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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You people need to spend a week or two in jail who think the food is ok. You will be begging to go out to dinner right after you shower at home when you get out of jail.
Craig French | Dec 8, 2009 9:53 pm | 1 replies | Request removal
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Mr. French
After reading so many of your posts concerning anything police related, why I am not surprised to learn that you have experienced jail food first hand.
Dean Peckham | Dec 09, 2009 6:23 pm | Request removal
So the poor inmates are crying about their Thanksgiving dinner?? I'm sure all the hard working people out there that lost their jobs this year and have had to depend on the food bank and unemployment to put food on their table would really feel for you. The fine, upstanding citizens that are currently calling the jail their place of residence deserve only the best, right?? I don't think so. Speaking from first hand experience of the damage that losers can cause when they steal, lie, buy drugs and essentially cause pain to everyone around them. I think that if they got cat food for their turkey dinner then it was well deserved. I work hard to support myself and my two children and if my 16 yr old son was to do something worthy enough to put him in jail over the holiday then so be it. He gets cat food. You were man enough to do the crime, suck it up and be man enough to pay the consequence.
Amy Alfaro | Dec 9, 2009 1:26 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Cry me a river folks. If the inmates hadn't done something to get thrown in jail on Thanksgiving in the first place, they too could have enjoyed a meal with their families. It's time to make jails and prisons into just that, rather than a low budget health club with a diner. If you were in Arizona, you wouldn't DARE whine about what you got to eat, or the next meal would be worse. This state could learn from them in my opinion.
R. Bruce Soule | Dec 9, 2009 9:58 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Yes there are weight rooms and TVs in the state prisons but NOT at taxpayer expense. A percentage is taken out of all the money inmates get mailed in and make at prison jobs which go into an Inmate Betterment fund. There is NO tax money in this fund. The fund pays for sports equipment, TVs in day rooms and all the other programs not provided by the state.
Medical care is mandated by the Feds and inmates are charged a small co-pay if they can pay it.
As for the food it is not that good but meets minimum nutrition needs. However some of the chicken received in prison kitchens is marked "Not for Human Consumption". I guess it the processing scraps intended for making pet food. This is the truth. Many pieces in the boxes smelled so bad they had to be thrown away.
As for the food in the county jails. Some is supplied by state prisons and some is bought locally. I had some mystery meat once in the county jail. The officer on duty told us he had brought some home for his dog but the dog wouldn't eat it.
And don't forget the food that was made in a prison kitchens for Meals on Wheels that was so bad they had to quit buying it from the state prisons.
Phil Barberg | Dec 9, 2009 1:40 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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You're lucky I'm not running the jail. Those turkey salad sandwiches would have been your Thanksgiving meal!
Better yet, taking a page from Sheriff Joe's book on fiscal responsibility, it's "peanut butter and jelly" for all.
hope floats | Dec 8, 2009 7:55 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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How ridiculous; inmates are in no position to complain about such things. I'm sure they're in jail by accident, and are really upstanding folks. Maybe next we [as tax payers] can make sure they are warm & cozy with some nice bedding, a big-screen plasma televisions with 300+ digital channels, and weekly spa treatments. Anything else we may do for you?
Harley Davidson | Dec 8, 2009 7:54 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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I think many people are unaware at how cushy the jails and prison systems are around here. People will always complain as that is in many peoples nature. But the public is not aware of the fully stocked band rooms, organized athletics/ team sports, college, wieght rooms and cable T.V. that costs a whopping 50 cents a month. Or the $3 copay for medical. Yes they don't make what people on the "outside" make but it's prison. Love to see a nice thorough write up on a REAL day in the life on the "inside" then we would wonder why we spend 30 grand a year minimum on each incarcerated offender.
Gary Beane | Dec 8, 2009 7:54 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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