Excerpts from Federal Prison - A Comprehensive Survival Guide
Eating in Prison
As a Federal inmate, you are entitled to three meals a day courtesy of the US government. Meal times vary from institution to institution, but you can expect something similar to FMC Devens where breakfast took place from 6-7am, lunch from 11-12am and dinner from 5-6pm.
Mainline
The place where meals are served is called mainline or the chow hall. In institutions with multiple units, there will be a system in place to decide the order in which the units are called. At FMC Devens, this was based on an inspection of the units done each week. In theory, the cleaner units were given higher scores and these inmates received the privilege of eating first. In practice, the inspector often didn’t bother looking at half the unit and on some occasions didn’t even show up at all. Nevertheless, we always ended up with a score for the week.
Eating in the chow hall is a lot like being back in your school cafeteria. You will wait in line, get a plastic tray and utensils and then be given your ration. You will not be permitted to return for a second helping. The exception is in most Federal Prison Camps where the set up is buffet style and you can take what you like unless a sign is posted stating that portion-control is in effect.
Apart from the
recreation yard, the chow hall is the only place that you will see so many inmates and staff gathered at the same time. If your unit is not one of the first to be called up, there will probably not be an open table by the time you get there. Look around and find someone who doesn’t look too menacing and take a seat. It’s important to remember, especially in the beginning that the other inmates will be watching you and taking notes on who you associate with in order to decide what kind of person you are. For that reason, if you find yourself at a table with an inmate you don’t know, don’t rush into a friendly conversation. If it turns out that he is greatly disliked by the inmate population, your being associated with him will not help your cause. Remember, this is prison and you are under no obligation go out of your way to be extra polite or make friends. If you find yourself at a table with an inmate you don’t know, you can briefly acknowledge him and then look down, eat your food and leave.
Before you get up, it is proper etiquette to offer anything you are not going to eat to those at the table with you. Many inmates cannot afford commissary and rely on the chow hall entirely for their food so an extra apple or can of pudding can mean a lot. As they are getting up to leave, you will see many inmates knock the table twice. This is a sign that they are finished and are headed out. This is one of the many quirks of prison culture and before long, you will likely find yourself doing the same thing.
The chow hall is much like junior high in that different groups usually sit in different places. It’s important to respect this. If you are white and it is obvious that one area is claimed by all black people, then don’t go sit there. Look around and find where the white people are sitting. In the beginning, walking into the chow hall alone can be a little intimidating. Just mind your own business and you will be left alone. At any rate, it won’t be too long before you meet some decent people and head up to mainline with a couple of other inmates from your unit.
It will come as no surprise that prison food is bad. Expect a lot of mystery meat, bread and pasta in addition to an abundance of white flour and sugar and a total absence of fresh vegetables. A piece of fruit is usually available once a day. Despite the BOP’s claim that all inmate’s are served nutritionally sound food, many new inmates find that they quickly gain weight in the double digits. As per Federal law, a vegetarian alternative is available at every meal. However, you will find that this alternative is often hardly a meal—for example you may be offered a cup of peanut butter or cottage cheese in place of beef stew or fried chicken.
Tip- Most of the prison staff will be present at the lunch meal. If you have concerns about anything at all, this is the time that you are expected to raise them. Walk up to the staff member and politely ask if they have a minute. If they are speaking with someone else, stand back a few feet and wait. Do not interrupt. Remember, these people can make your stay far worse than it already is if you give them a reason to.
FMC Devens Menu 1
FMC Devens Menu 2
FMC Devens Menu 3
