Eastern State Penitentiary Hosts 'Prison Food Weekend'
By John McDevitt
It's called Nutraloaf. A controversial "food product" served as punishment in many American prisons.
As part of its educational programming Eastern State Penitentiary Historic site in Fairmount is hosting "Prison Food Weekend."
Visitors will get to try five different Nutraloaf recipe's currently served as punishment food to prisoners in Idaho, California, Illinois, Arkansas and Pennsylvania.
"It has cooked rice, dried oatmeal, and mashed garbanzo beans. In Pennsylvania we call this a behavior modified meal. Somebody who has broken the rules, has not been able to follow them, even living in a punishment area is given this as another way to modify their behavior. This could be served for up to 21 consecutive meals to somebody," said Lauren Zallut Director of Education and Tour Programs.
You then decide if the loaf is cruel and unusual punishment. Results will be put on display.
Eastern State Penitentiary's 4th annual Prison Food Weekend is June 4th and 5th.