Now, wait a minute. This is the same department that's laying off employees. How can it request additional funds when it can't even show loyalty to its own workforce by finding resources to retain them?

They want the state to throw $22 M at this thing in THIS economy? And we're talking about a department that just lost about half that much money in state budget cuts? Good luck! I have my fingers crossed the state won't give you my money.

How 'bout giving them a cheese sandwhich and open a can or green beans and call it good. Nothing fancy needed. Budget down the cost of the meals and make it feel like they're actually in prison

Corrections has always been rant with corruption and greed, this is hiding more budget inflation inside a clever proposal. How about buy the food have inmates cook it at 17¢ an hour and freeze any left-overs, but by the way do not let the inmates portion control, have that done by staff who will make sure portions are controlled, I worked in Draper in Wasatch and the portions were mostly not controlled. I think the guards that are playing crosswords and talking on the phone could be replaced with productive employees.

They are eating better in prison than many who obey the law eat at home. How about ramen noodles,potatoes,etc. like many of us who are struggling but obey the law?

The prisons contract out for their food? Does that mean every meal for these people get catered? Do something horrible and get your meals catered,free rent,free clothing, free education etc. No wonder our prisons keep getting more crowded its a luxury resort.

why do we even feed them...22 million to keep people that did no right fed. i personally think its crap. but the goverment just cut 11 million from programs that help kids is disabilties. wow impressive UTAH...

So, $22 million to build it at a savings of $2mill per year = 11 years to recoup the costs. Is this a good deal? Top Ramen is a better deal.

Here's a menu
oatmeal/milk/juice every morning for breakfast
bologna or peanut butter sandwiches and a piece of fruit everyday for lunch

Chile and salad everyday for dinner.

Arizona did away with coffee for inmates and the same menu everyday. They are being punished - This is the way to do it.

It's the American food. I agree with Ramen noodles. We have starving kids and families who obey the law and we want to give these guys T.V. dinners to eat while they are watching T.V.?

Let them grow their own food. There is enough land there that they can grow their own. Honestly, 22 million dollars? Wow! Where is sheriff Joe Arpaio when you need him. Our prison system should just adopt WWJA do?

These people ought to learn how to work while in prison instead of just getting it all handed to them. Years ago they had gardens and grew a lot of their produce out at the point. Why was that idea abolished? Let them plant / plow / water and pick and then cook it. Perhaps if the meals and the 'comforts' weren't so plentiful more people would try to avoid going to prison, by being law abiding citizens. Times are hard for the rest of us - it ought to be for them also - even more so!

Seems to me the prisoners eat better daily then some of the citizens, the elderly, the handicap. I say this because when you have income of $20 more than the scale allows, no food stamps. They don't take in consideration rent, util, insurance. Some families are eating just 1 meal a day - prisoners get 3 and if they have money - the food commissary. I feel for the elderly, the single mothers (and single mothers include the ones with dead beat dads). Use the 22 million to feed the people that deserve it, they didn't commit the crime.

Have you spent time in a prison? Really? Them being locked up, and most of their privileges being taken away is their punishment. NOT treating them like people will be OUR punishment. Yes, they should be more self reliant, if it were that easy. But, I personally know of people (more than 5) who have spent time in jails and prison and food in most of them is NOT wonderful! They buy ramen on commissary to eat when they are hungry. Food is prepared by inmates at the ADC, and sometimes it is not cooked so well. NO, I don't have all the answers, but I do know that being economical and prepared, even if they are locked up, sounds like a good solution! And, yes some guards need to be let go. I've never committed an offense, yet have been treated poorly just visiting those who need encouragement. (While they play solitaire on a computer!)
Just one persons perspective. Thanks.

I have a friend who works at the prison. He has learned that Prison food is prepared with top quality and name-branned food only. What's with that? No wonder why so many inmates who get released quickly commit crimes that get them sent back. There are far too many incentives for them to return and they are not required to repay any of it or work for any of it. The funny thing is, most people who leave comments in these newspapers are generally liberal in their thinking, so I am surprised that so many of you readers disagree with this prison food system. Don't you usually like the thought that prisoners get all their rights and freedoms to enjoy even though they don't deserve them? Just curious.

I don't know where the public gets the idea that inmates have it so good. Maybe they do in Utah, but I have a son in prison in Nevada. The food is not adequate, one serving, small at that. He works in the garment factory there for about 25 cents an hour and spends what he earns to buy food. Education is not free. He has to pay for the classes he has taken. We send him clothing packages once a year, through the Corrections clothing catalog at high prices. TV is not provided. If he wants to watch it, he has to buy a small one, with headphones, from the commissary. We try to send him money so he can have adequate food and clothing. Another family member was in a county jail in Utah. Food was spoiled or moldy some of the time. Ramen noodles are a life saver, but not nutritious. Just fills an empty tummy. The inmates fight over the food not wanted by another inmate because they are all hungry. Prison shouldn't be a vacation, but it should be humane at least.

** Just forgot to leave my email down below for the newspaper.**

Let's be clear, this is not the inmates asking for this, it is more hand-outs for corrections, they want it to offset their budget for food, etc. then they will spend it on whatever their little heart desires. Like the new SUV's corrections big shots drive at our expense and other toys. It isn't the inmates that benefit from this it is the guards and officials. Let's not have more parties for corrections employees and put that to better food preparation. Don't try to cloud your real plot to get more money.