NC Jail inmates gaining weight inside

PRESCOTT – Inmates of the Nevada County Jail are gaining, not losing, weight on the diet they get while inside.

NC Jail Administrator Preston “Pep” Glenn, addressed the Nevada County Quorum Court at its May meeting Tuesday, updating the justices of the peace on what’s going on with the jail. He said the jail is a business and his goal is to make money for the county. “People are there for a reason.”

State law requires inmates be fed a minimum of 2,200 calories per day. The NC Jail provides 2,300 calories daily. Glenn said the jail currently pays 71 cents per meal, and he’s looking for ways to reduce this cost. To prevent spoilage and waste, he said, the jail began using powdered milk instead of 2 percent. This, he said, is not only cheaper, but provides more calories. “Inmates here eat better than the students at school.”

He told the court chicken was substituted for baked fish because fish costs more, and added the only other meat served is turkey. He pointed out the inmates are also served beans, which are high in protein. A typical menu was provided to the JPs. It showed what the inmates are served. Breakfast is two cups of oatmeal and16 oz. of 2 percent milk. Lunch is chips, a cookie, pinto beans, breaded chicken patty, a beef tater tot casserole, chicken or chili, along with cornbread. When the chicken patty is served, inmates get gravy. They also have access to salad, white or wheat bread and mixed vegetables.

On top of this, Glenn said, there is a commissary for inmates who have money in their accounts. They can use their money to buy other things to eat, such as candy bars.

“We’re responsible for the medical bills of local inmates,” he said, adding inmates being held for other counties or the state are paid by them and not Nevada County. At this time, though, there are 11 inmates from the county being held in jail. The current jail population is 55, which translates into $1,236 per day. The county is charged Medicaid prices when local inmates have to see the doctor. Otherwise, he said, the jail keeps items such as ointments, aspirin and ibuprophen on hand. Additionally, if inmates have funds in their commissary account and need prescriptions, these funds are used in place of county money.

Glenn told the court the jail recently passed compliance from the Arkansas Department of Health on food service, and the jail currently meets all state standards. The rain, he added, has prevented inmates from being able to work in a community garden, where vegetables will be raised by the inmates for meals. The garden, he said, will help save money.