WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Despite increase, jail food costs remain ‘very reasonable’ (AUDIO)

Jessie Stensland reports:

…[T]he price of feeding people in the county hoosegow is increasing. County officials, however, said it’s still a surprisingly good deal at about $4.35 a meal.

At a recent commissioner workshop meeting, [Jail Chief Jose] Briones explained that the jail has long contracted with Summit food services. A new contract from the company included an 11% hike in food costs, which is the first time the company has asked for an increase since at least 2015….

“An 11% increase is very reasonable,” he said….

They Said It

Commissioner Jill Johnson asked about what “lens” Briones was using when making decisions about the food service. Given the “shockingly low” increase in food costs over the years, she said she wanted to make sure the county wasn’t cutting back on quality to the detriment of inmates.

Many of the people in jail, she said, are coming from a lifestyle of poverty, poor diet and substance abuse. She said it’s part of the jail’s charge to help people to be healthy.

“If people feel better, they can make better life choices,” she said.

Likewise, Commissioner Janet St. Clair said people have less disruptive behavior when they have healthy food.

“By treating them with the appropriate diet, we’re also reducing medical expenses in the jail, we’re improving behavior because diet and behavior has a direct tie,” she said.