Prisoners must make do with tea instead of soda, state says
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
By KGW.com Staff
SALEM, Ore. — State Prisoners will have to make do without soda pop.
The state Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that it would remove soda from meal service to prisoners, effective Dec. 31, according to
Michael F. Gower, a corrections administrator.
In May, a tax watchdog group gave the department its “Golden Fleece Award” for wasting taxpayer money after learning that nearly $775,000 was
spent on soda pop for prisoners between 2007 and 2009.
The primary reasons for this change are cost and health benefits. … Soda will be available for purchase by staff and inmates and we are working to
add additional beverage items on the Commissary,” Gower said.
Prisoners will now enjoy tea at meal time, a healthier option that’s “calorie free and provides nutrients and compounds shown to provide numerous
health benefits,” Gower added.
The state hopes the move will also lower health costs but did not offer further specifics on a long-range health regimen for prisoners.
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