States cutting back on inmate meals

States begin 'slimming down' inmate meals

Some states are altering prisoners' meals as a means of saving money. In Georgia, which had already cut the weekend meals down from three to two, another day of cutbacks will be added -- Fridays. Friday lunches were a casualty of the department's decision to save money on gas and other costs by scaling back the prisoner work week from five eight-hour days to four 10-hour days.

Other states are cutting back on milk and fresh fruit. Earlier this month, Alabama reduced the milk and fresh fruit it serves to save $700,000. Alabama inmates now receive an apple or an orange once a week, down from twice a week. Milk has been reduced from seven servings per week to three. Tennessee has also cut back on milk portions for men, from two servings a day to one, to save $600,000.

Georgia's fast-growing prison system, the fifth-largest in the nation, has been hit hard by the same budget woes plaguing other states. For the current fiscal year, the state has slashed almost 10 percent from the state Department of Corrections' $1.1 billion budget.

Sara Totonchi, of the Southern Center for Human Rights, called the elimination of Friday lunch part of a troubling trend of budget cuts in Georgia's correctional system. "We don't think this is a good idea," she said. "It destabilizes things inside the prison and that is not good for any of the inmates or staff."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Artur Davis, a black congressman, considers run for Alabama governor's seat

ARKANSAS: Conservative group to oppose confirmation of Sotomayor

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist signs new KidCare legislation to expand healthcare

GEORGIA: Sam Nunn warns of nuclear risks

KENTUCKY: Pastor encourages flock to bring guns to church: 'Piece be with you'

LOUISIANA: Senate to consider budget today at Capitol

MISSISSIPPI: House District 82 special election to be held Tuesday

NORTH CAROLINA: State closes on purchase of Grandfather Mountain

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Supreme Court orders Gov. Sanford to take stimulus money

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander wants to give taxpayers shares of GM and Chrysler stock

VIRGINIA: Democratic hopefuls propose solution for students at in-state colleges

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