Some prisons and jails across the country make a point of celebrating the holiday season, albeit in a limited fashion. Others observe some or several holidays. Others do not celebrate the holidays.

Do Prisons Serve Special Meals During the Holidays?

In an online blog where former inmates write answers to questions posed by the public, former inmate Brian (his last name was withheld for anonymity) did his best to answer some basic questions about what it’s like to observe holidays in prison.¹

Special Thanksgiving visits. 
Image courtesy of cdcr.ca.gov

In response to the question, “Do inmates get special meals on holidays?” Brian wrote that the prison he attended provided some holiday-themed meals, especially on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Fourth of July. Brian also wrote that visitation from family members and friends was allowed during holidays as a privilege for inmates who exhibited good behavior. Brian also mentioned that the prison occasionally hosted special events, like a Christmas play or caroling session.

States are responsible for setting their meal plans in state-run prisons. Again, for anonymity, former inmate Brian (cited above) did not name the prison where he had served time. The federal prison system, on the other hand, has an entire diet and meal plan prepared for each holiday, one that is available to the public and is adjustable based on prisoners’ religious beliefs. For example, the following is an excerpt from the Christmas meal plan:²

Breakfast:

• Whole Fresh Fruit
• 2 Pkg Dry Cereal
• 2 Slices Bread
• 2 Cups Skim Milk
• 1 Cup Coffee
• 2 Pkg Jelly
• 1 Margarine
• 2 Sugar Substitute

Lunch:

• Kosher Dessert
• Whole Fresh Fruit
• Cheese Omelet
• Potatoes
• Pkg Oatmeal
• 2 Slices Bread
• 2 Cups Skim Milk
• 1 Cup Coffee
• 2 Pkg Jelly
• 1 Margarine
• 2 Sugar Substitute

Dinner:

• Beef Meatloaf
• Brown Gravy
• Mashed Potatoes
• Mixed Vegetables
• Tuna
• Potato Chips
• Vegetable Juice
• Whole Fresh Fruit
• 2 Slices Bread
• 1 Margarine
• Kosher Beverage

That was the approved federal meal plan for Christmas 2021, likely to change somewhat for the years since and in the years to come.

Prison Rules: Letters from a Former Inmate

Prison Legal News publishes letters from prisoners serving sentences. David M. Reutter, on December 15, 2020, published a compelling letter of what he and his fellow inmates did at a Florida state prison for Christmas. For Reutter, the random acts of kindness during the holidays stood out the most. “Random acts of kindness also abound,” he said. “A bag of coffee, a bottle of shampoo, a pack of cookies, or other canteen item is often passed from a well-to-do prisoner or one who just wants to share his blessings to a prisoner who is without. A sad fact of prison is that there are many prisoners who have no money or family. The holiday season is the hardest for them. I know guys whose whole family died while they have been in prison. It is these guys who are most sought out to bring some joy unto.”³

“A bag of coffee, a bottle of shampoo, a pack of cookies, or other canteen item is often passed from a well-to-do prisoner or one who just wants to share his blessings to a prisoner who is without…”

Reutter also spoke about the meals the prisoners were allowed to make, the decorations they were allowed to string up, the special events the prisoners were allowed to put on, and the fundraisers they were allowed to host to ensure everyone participated in the festivities during the holidays. “Feasts for New Year’s also abound,” Reutter said. “I live in a program dorm, and we are currently collecting food stuffs to feed the 92 people in the dorm. The wish list is around $500. There will be a chili-based meal and a tuna-based one. Cookies, chips, coffee, and tea will be available. Of course, all of this will revolve around watching football. Everyone will most likely be able to get two bowls full and maybe three for the big eaters.”

Schedule Shifts During Holidays

A former corrections official wrote an article for Forbes about what prison is like in federal prison camps during the holidays. For example, many federal prison camps will suspend work and give inmates “the day off” on holidays.⁴

On the federal level and in many states, prisons will provide rest or entire days off during the holidays, especially if the holidays are religious occurrences that call for time off. During these holidays, inmates do not have to work or labor but can spend their time on their chosen (but approved) activities.⁵

Similar but Different

While it is extremely difficult to obtain a real look into prisons and how exactly they operate during the holidays, the writings of the inmates themselves and the publicly available regulations of the prisons provide the best view. Mostly, life in prison does not change significantly during the holidays as it does in the civilian world. However, many prisoners and publications speak to holiday-specific meals, breaks from work and other required labor, and potentially even a special event or two.

Sources Cited:

1. IL. “What Are Holidays Like in Prison?” Inmate Lookup, 2020. inmate-lookup.org
2. FBOP. “FY 2021 Certified Religious Diet Menu, Holiday Menu.” Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2021. bop.gov
3. PLN. “Florida Update From the Inside: Holiday Celebrations, Prison Style.” Prison Legal News, 2020. prisonlegalnews.org
4. Forbes. “The Holidays in Federal Prison.” Forbes, 2013. forbes.com
5. FBOP. “Chaplaincy Services Guidance for the Recognition of Holy Days Calling for Work Proscription, Public Fast and Observance.” Federal Bureau of Prisons, 2015. bop.gov