State regulators, investigating complaints by the American Civil Liberties Union and community activists, have concluded after a surprise visit in March that Orange County jails are not serving spoiled food to inmates.
The ACLU of Southern California contacted the California Board of State and Community Corrections on March 10 after a coalition of activist groups issued a report in December alleging inmates for years have been served cold, moldy and bug-infested food in violation of state regulations.
The state could find no violations.
“Despite assertions, the findings from BSCC after an unannounced inspection show exactly what we have said time and time again — we provide nutritionally balanced and healthy meals that meet or exceed requirements for incarcerated persons entrusted to our care,” Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said Monday in a statement.
Sarah Kahn, a Justice Catalyst fellow at the ACLU Southern California, said Barnes “should not be celebrating” that his department meets the state’s minimum standards for jail food.
“The technical language of BSCC standards masks the brutal reality: ‘fit for human consumption’ still means primarily bologna and bread, and ‘hot food component’ usually means watery broth or oatmeal despite the occasional hot tray,” Kahn said. “The sheriff must respond to the mounting pressure from incarcerated organizers, faith leaders, and community groups, to provide consistent, nutritious, full hot meals.”
The December report by the Stop the Musick Coalition — a group trying to block the expansion of the James A. Musick correctional facility in Irvine — asserted that since March 2020 the jail system had stopped serving warm meals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and gave inmates three daily meals of cold bologna sandwiches that were frequently rotten.
“The meals are also extremely high in sodium and cholesterol, and people report experiencing illness and hunger. Since Spring 2020, many of those who could afford it have relied on food for purchase at the commissary to supplement the cold meals,” said the activist report.
But the unannounced state inspection found through observation and interviews with personnel that food service was back to normal, that food storage systems are appropriate and that items being served are “fit for human consumption.”
The inspection, done over two days in mid-March, concluded that hot meals are now served, medical and religious diets have not been interrupted as alleged and kitchen facilities were clean, orderly, well-stocked and contained food items that were consistent with “grocery store” standards.
The state board said it, along with the public health authority, will continue monitoring the Sheriff’s Department’s food items, quality and methods for meal delivery. An onsite follow-up visit will be conducted later this month, the board said.
Last year’s ACLU-backed report isn’t the first time the jail has been accused of serving rotten fare to inmates.
A federal report in 2017 by the Office of Inspector General accused the jail of giving inmates slimy, green lunch meat.
Sheriff’s officials denied the allegation and one kitchen supervisor responded by abruptly eating some of the jail bologna.