Can Prisoners Order Food from Restaurants When They Are in Prison?

Introduction: Correctional Dining Norms

Many might wonder if convicts can order food from restaurants while incarcerated, but the answer is no, and not for the immediate reasons one might assume.

Prison Shop Accounts and In-Cell Telephones

In Irish prisons, inmates do not have access to cash. Instead, they have a shop account where funds can only be used to purchase items from the prison’s shop. These funds can only be deposited online subject to limits. In addition, prisoners cannot directly order food using their in-cell telephones, as these devices are pre-approved with a list of nine numbers approved by the prison service, none of which include restaurants. Any attempt to make unauthorized calls or transactions is subject to strict security measures.

Security Constraints and Delivery Issues

Even for prison staff, getting in and out of prison is a time-consuming process. A food delivery would need to be searched, scanned, and then brought to the specific inmate's cell, making such a process impractical.

Despite the impracticality, there are some exceptions. In instances of lockdown or specific circumstances, prison officers have been known to conduct food runs. However, this is not a routine procedure and requires careful handling to ensure security and compliance with regulations.

According to the American Correctional Association (ACA), all detention facilities must have a licensed dietician review their menus to be accredited. While the ACA recommends that prisons offer inmates three meals a day, this is not a hard and fast mandate.

At federal prisons, breakfast often consists of a Danish, hot or cold cereal, and milk. The other two meals typically include foods such as chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, lasagna, burritos, tacos, and fish patties. This standardized menu helps maintain order and predictability within the prison environment.

Prison Meals: Routine and Standardization

Prison dining follows a strict schedule, with meals served at specific times. This routine provides inmates with a sense of structure and order. Common meal times include breakfast at six, lunch at twelve, and supper at five.

These scheduled eating times help restore a sense of normalcy, a much-needed anchor in the chaotic environment of incarceration. Even during medical calls, mail exchanges, and family visits, time is strictly allocated, reinforcing the structured nature of life within prison walls.