Sheriff Malnourished Inmates to the Tune of $212,000

An interesting story… an Alabama Sheriff pocketed $212,000 over three years by feeding inmates only $1.75 worth of food each day.

An unusual statute dating from the early decades of the 20th century allows the state’s sheriffs to keep for themselves whatever money is left over after they feed their prisoners. The money allotted by the state is little enough — $1.75 a day per prisoner — but the incentive to skimp is obvious.

Inmates were forced to supplement the meager meals with purchases at the high-priced jail store. Some spend as much as $100 a week at the store, a severe burden for their often impoverished families.

Wherever there is a loophole there is bound to be someone looking to take advantage of it.