SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Some Shelby County inmates were fed a steak dinner this Labor Day.
WREG viewers sent us a flyer offering families of inmates the option of buying a rib-eye steak, baked potato, salad and dessert for $24.95.
Some of you told WREG you didn’t even scarf down a meal like that.
“If I were in jail, I would want somebody to get me a steak dinner,” Memphis resident Gale Ferrell said.
“I don’t think they need a steak dinner,” Ruby Jackson said.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said the meal was part of an incentive program called Fresh Favorites.
Aramark, the company that runs the program, said when inmates are well behaved, family and friends get the chance to buy a nice meal for them like “pizza and cheeseburgers and healthy items with less than 500 calories.”
A spokesperson went on to say the program has caused “fewer disruptions and security-related incidents,” and the money goes back into the jail helping “reinstate initiatives cut due to budget restrictions.”
“If they are doing good, why not?” said Ferrell.
“I won’t say it’s wrong, but we will think the ones who do bad, we shouldn’t feed them like that,” said Melanie Thompson.
While some folks don’t mind the program, wardens across the country cringe at the idea.
A sheriff in Arizona told the Wall Street Journal, “Instead of calling it a jail, let’s call it the Hilton.”
He serves his inmates a brick-hard loaf made of milk, vegetables and bread dough.
The SCSO wouldn’t say if the program improved inmate behavior, but did tell WREG it can opt out if it wants.
No word how many inmates actually were served steak on Labor Day.
