Taste test: Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio tries the nutraloaf, which he says is not unconstitutional to serve
Posted on 08/24/2016 6:48:32 AM PDT by JoeProBono
TUCSON, - A U.S. study indicates cigarettes are being replaced as currency among state prisoners by another highly-coveted item -- instant ramen noodles.
Michael Gibson-Light, a doctoral candidate in the University of Arizona School of Sociology, said ramen noodles are on the rise as a form of currency among male inmates in U.S. state prisons due to cost-cutting measures leading to a drop in food quality and quantity.
Gibson-Light, who is due to present his study at the 111th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, said the rise of ramen has less to do with the popularity of tobacco waning and more to do with "punitive frugality," the phenomenon of prisoners and their support networks taking on more of the cost of their own care as prison budgets are slashed.
"Punitive frugality is not a formal prison policy, but rather an observable trend in prison administration practice in institutions throughout the country," Gibson-Light said.
"Throughout the nation, we can observe prison cost-cutting and cost-shifting as well as changes in the informal economic practices of inmates," he said. "Services are cut back and many costs are passed on to inmates in an effort to respond to calls to remain both tough on crime and cost effective."
The researcher said he conducted interviews with about 60 prison inmates and staff members from May 2015 to May 2016, when he also observed prisoners involved in work projects.
"Prison staff members as well as members of the inmate population provided narratives of the history of changes in prison food -- the past few decades have seen steady decreases in the quality and quantity of inmate food," Gibson-Light said.
"Prisoners are so unhappy with the quality and quantity of prison food that they receive that they have begun relying on ramen noodles -- a cheap, durable food product -- as a form of money in the underground economy," he said. "Because it is cheap, tasty, and rich in calories, ramen has become so valuable that it is used to exchange for other goods."
Just putting out some info that states the crooks are living pretty good inside the prison system that once was a deterrent to committing crimes!
That’s using your noodle.
The slender blonds in prison will now get fat!
I grew plants in prison, I'd grow heroin poppies.
Sodium is not an issue for most people.
Carbs on the other hand kill.
It is my understanding smoking is forbidden in most, if not all, penns.
Good to know. Thanks.
So I guess that Nutraloaf didn’t make the cut?
What’s sad is these guys have easy access to a microwave or an electric heat source.
Both can be used as a weapon in one way or another.
IF I grew plants in prison, I'd grow heroin poppies.
I have never been to prison, and I have never grown heroin poppies!
Taste test: Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio tries the nutraloaf, which he says is not unconstitutional to serve
duh, noodles are like gold in jail
so are those little sausage things.
Ice... Ice cubes would be worth a fortune.
Salt...
Spicy Kimchi noodle bowl with added Vienna Sausage
Same thing in Norway...Russians crossing the border in October/November to commit petty crimes that will get them 4-5 months in jail.
That looks like my dinner in college! LOL
Good.
In fact they shouldn’t be allowed tobacco.
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