Jail dealing with escalating food prices for inmate meals

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County Jail has found feeding its inmate population has gotten significantly more expensive.

“We were up 12.5% (in food costs) in 2021 and so far in 2022, we already see a 16% increase,” Bartholomew County Jail Commander Major John Martoccia said. “All food has increased – some more than others.”

For example, Martoccia says chicken is very expensive right now, along with different types of meats.

Although costs have been going up for quite some time, food prices were not a significant concern for the jail early last year because concerns regarding COVID-19 kept the inmate population fluctuating between 190 to 210, Martoccia said.

“But as of 7 a.m. Monday morning, there were 30 more people booked in jail than Friday morning,” the jail commander said. “While some were released, our jail population reached 256 by 7 a.m. Monday.”

According to the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, each inmate at a county jail must receive three meals a day that meet state-mandated dietary requirements.

Sheriff deputies say food prices don’t appear to be plateauing. The 2022 forecast from the USDA/The Food Institute shows a continued increase for meat, poultry and fish of 5.5% to 6.5%. Eggs, dairy products, vegetables, cereal and other foods are also expected to see a sharp increase.

Because he does some of his family’s personal grocery shopping, Martoccia knows it’s extremely difficult to avoid skyrocketing costs at the supermarket.

“It’s crazy how much food prices have gone up,” he said. “It’s something we all have to keep our eye on.”

While being frugal and adopting a “no-waste policy” might be a way of addressing the issue, Martoccia said it isn’t a long-term solution.

“A hurting supply chain is now an added obstacle with a shortage in certain products and brands. It’s possible the jail may be forced to turn to alternatives in an effort to meet nutritional requirements,” he said.

While some Hoosiers are under the impression that sheriffs can still pocket money saved from a jail’s food budget, that’s something from our history. Indiana law has banned that practice for almost 30 years.

Martoccia says he’s working with the food services managers to stretch their dollars, adding everyone is trying to hold out as long as possible working with the current budget. But he added it’s impossible to know what might happen with the economy in the upcoming months.

“At some point, it’s either going to be talking to the Bartholomew County (Council) and increasing our budget – whether it comes from county taxpayers or some other avenue.” Martoccia said. “At the end of the day, we still have to feed inmates regardless of price and regardless of supply chain issues.”