CORRECTIONS: DO NOT READ THIS

Alabama already has the most thrifty inmate feeding program in America. Now the AP reports that Georgia has started serving prisoners only two meals a day on Fridays. They already get just two on weekends. I can imagine the Alabama Department of Corrections hungrily eyeing the expense of that Friday lunch. In a system with almost 30,000 inmates, it can mount up. And best of all, the Alabama prison policies already allow the two meals per-day schedule: Normally, inmates shall be provided three meals per day, of which, at least two are hot meals, at a regular schedule during each 24- hour period with no more than 14 hours between evening meals and breakfast. However, two meals, which provide basic nutritional goals, may be allowed based on weekend/holiday food service demands. [DOC policy dated April 5, 2001] Now all the prison commissioner has to do is declare Fridays a holiday for inmates and voila! Instant savings of more than $400,00 a year based on a reduction in the per inmate feeding cost of 40 cents per Friday. We already spend less than any other state feeding inmates. The raw food cost is $1.12 per inmate per day, lowest in the nation Legislators almost never want to vote to increase budgets for Corrections because how will that look on re-election day? In our poor state they can always the excuse that the money is needed elsewhere, since it usually is. Right now Alabama spends just 2.5% of its budget on corrections. The national average is 6.7%. There may be potential security problems with cutting back on the meals. But I'd say watch out Alabama inmates. You may soon be getting a three-day weekend every week, but it will be hungry holiday.