Aramark Correctional Services, the private company that provides food to Michigan prisons, is in trouble again. Inmates at the Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance Center in Jackson found maggots while peeling potatoes Tuesday morning . Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan says the warden was notified, and quickly moved to dispose of all the potatoes. The kitchen was then thoroughly bleached. No resulting health problems have been reported. Last week, 30 inmates at another Jackson prison fell ill after maggots were found in the chow hall. Aramark has had a number of serious issues since it took over as the prison system’s food service provider in December. The company was cited for food shortages, under-staffing, and employees’ smuggling contraband into prisons, among other things. The state fined it $98,000 for some of the violations in March. After meal shortages led to prisoner unrest and safety concerns in some facilities, MDOC put Aramark “on notice that…any
Aramark contract "up in the air" after more maggots found in prison food
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Inmates blast Aramark, Kent County sheriff for food poisoning incidents
A handful of former inmates at the Kent County jail are suing the sheriff and food service provider Aramark. The case stems from a food-borne illness. One afternoon, in April 2012, at least a couple hundred inmates at the Kent County Jail got really sick. The culprit? Bad chicken tacos. Court documents say they suffered pain, cramps, diarrhea and “long-term adverse health consequences” that’s weren’t detailed.
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Lawmakers call for health departments to inspect prison kitchens
Republican and Democratic lawmakers at the state Capitol say it’s time for prison kitchens to be inspected by local health agencies. That’s after the most recent instance of maggots found in a corrections food service facility. Prison kitchens are exempt from local health inspections.
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Michigan ends Aramark contract after months of constant complaints
After 19 months of maggoty food, traces of rodents, workers engaging in sex acts with inmates, and much more, the state of Michigan today has terminated its contract with Aramark to feed prison inmates. The Detroit News’ Chad Livengood tells us that each side has said this decision was the result of a mutual agreement.
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Union wants to stop Michigan's new prison food contract
Michigan AFSCME Council 25 says it will challenge the state's new prison food contract with Trinity Services Group. The state announced the deal with the private Florida-based company Monday after ending ties with Aramark over months of complaints. Nick Ciaramitaro , legislative director for AFSCME Council 25, said handing the contract over without first opening it up to other bidders is unlawful. "We're simply exchanging one private vendor for another with no evidence that things are going to improve," Ciaramitaro said. Trinity Services Group bid on Michigan's prison food contract in 2013, before it went to Aramark for $145 million. Ciaramitaro said the state's new three-year $158 million deal with Trinity is "penny wise, pound foolish." "It took all of a half an hour and a Google search to find that Trinity was facing the same sort of charges in jails in other states that had created such a fear over Aramark," he said. Trinity is set to take over for Aramark in September.
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County health departments may once again inspect prison kitchens
State lawmakers this week will discuss outside oversight for prison food facilities. State Representative John Kivela, D-Marquette, wants local health departments to inspect prison kitchens. The facilities have been self-inspecting for decades.
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Prison worker says he was fired for refusing to serve rotten potatoes
A former prison food services worker says he was fired because he would not serve rotten potatoes to inmates. Steve Pine worked at the Kinross Correctional Facility in the Upper Peninsula until this past weekend. He was employed by Trinity Services Group, a private contractor that provides food services to state prisons. Pine tells The Detroit Free Press that he refused an order to have inmates sort through the potatoes. He was afraid that would lead a disturbance like one that occurred at the prison last September. A spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections says complaining about food in front of inmates can create a security risk. “Instances like this that could be dealt with one way, if they’re dealt with in an improper way they can lead to serious and sometimes grave consequences in our facilities," said Chris Gautz. He says the department monitors how well vendors comply with state contracts. “In this case, you know, we’re just going to continue to work with Trinity
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Week in Review: Wayne County's tentative jail deal and possible work requirements for Medicaid
It looks like Wayne County may finally have a solution for its long-stalled jail project . The county has reached a tentative agreement with Dan Gilbert's Rock Ventures. Gilbert's company will construct a brand new $533 million "criminal justice center," pending approval from the county commission and building authority. This Week in Review, Weekend Edition host Rebecca Kruth and senior news analyst Jack Lessenberry talk about the plan and what it could mean for Wayne County.
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Aramark contract "up in the air" after more maggots found in prison food
Aramark Correctional Services, the private company that provides food to Michigan prisons, is in trouble again. Inmates at the Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance Center in Jackson found maggots while peeling potatoes Tuesday morning . Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan says the warden was notified, and quickly moved to dispose of all the potatoes. The kitchen was then thoroughly bleached. No resulting health problems have been reported. Last week, 30 inmates at another Jackson prison fell ill after maggots were found in the chow hall. Aramark has had a number of serious issues since it took over as the prison system’s food service provider in December. The company was cited for food shortages, under-staffing, and employees’ smuggling contraband into prisons, among other things. The state fined it $98,000 for some of the violations in March. After meal shortages led to prisoner unrest and safety concerns in some facilities, MDOC put Aramark “on notice that…any
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Inmates blast Aramark, Kent County sheriff for food poisoning incidents
A handful of former inmates at the Kent County jail are suing the sheriff and food service provider Aramark. The case stems from a food-borne illness. One afternoon, in April 2012, at least a couple hundred inmates at the Kent County Jail got really sick. The culprit? Bad chicken tacos. Court documents say they suffered pain, cramps, diarrhea and “long-term adverse health consequences” that’s weren’t detailed.
↧
Lawmakers call for health departments to inspect prison kitchens
Republican and Democratic lawmakers at the state Capitol say it’s time for prison kitchens to be inspected by local health agencies. That’s after the most recent instance of maggots found in a corrections food service facility. Prison kitchens are exempt from local health inspections.
↧
Michigan ends Aramark contract after months of constant complaints
After 19 months of maggoty food, traces of rodents, workers engaging in sex acts with inmates, and much more, the state of Michigan today has terminated its contract with Aramark to feed prison inmates. The Detroit News’ Chad Livengood tells us that each side has said this decision was the result of a mutual agreement.
↧
Union wants to stop Michigan's new prison food contract
Michigan AFSCME Council 25 says it will challenge the state's new prison food contract with Trinity Services Group. The state announced the deal with the private Florida-based company Monday after ending ties with Aramark over months of complaints. Nick Ciaramitaro , legislative director for AFSCME Council 25, said handing the contract over without first opening it up to other bidders is unlawful. "We're simply exchanging one private vendor for another with no evidence that things are going to improve," Ciaramitaro said. Trinity Services Group bid on Michigan's prison food contract in 2013, before it went to Aramark for $145 million. Ciaramitaro said the state's new three-year $158 million deal with Trinity is "penny wise, pound foolish." "It took all of a half an hour and a Google search to find that Trinity was facing the same sort of charges in jails in other states that had created such a fear over Aramark," he said. Trinity is set to take over for Aramark in September.
↧
↧
County health departments may once again inspect prison kitchens
State lawmakers this week will discuss outside oversight for prison food facilities. State Representative John Kivela, D-Marquette, wants local health departments to inspect prison kitchens. The facilities have been self-inspecting for decades.
↧
Prison worker says he was fired for refusing to serve rotten potatoes
A former prison food services worker says he was fired because he would not serve rotten potatoes to inmates. Steve Pine worked at the Kinross Correctional Facility in the Upper Peninsula until this past weekend. He was employed by Trinity Services Group, a private contractor that provides food services to state prisons. Pine tells The Detroit Free Press that he refused an order to have inmates sort through the potatoes. He was afraid that would lead a disturbance like one that occurred at the prison last September. A spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections says complaining about food in front of inmates can create a security risk. “Instances like this that could be dealt with one way, if they’re dealt with in an improper way they can lead to serious and sometimes grave consequences in our facilities," said Chris Gautz. He says the department monitors how well vendors comply with state contracts. “In this case, you know, we’re just going to continue to work with Trinity
↧
Week in Review: Wayne County's tentative jail deal and possible work requirements for Medicaid
It looks like Wayne County may finally have a solution for its long-stalled jail project . The county has reached a tentative agreement with Dan Gilbert's Rock Ventures. Gilbert's company will construct a brand new $533 million "criminal justice center," pending approval from the county commission and building authority. This Week in Review, Weekend Edition host Rebecca Kruth and senior news analyst Jack Lessenberry talk about the plan and what it could mean for Wayne County.
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State lawmakers think food service training could be future for inmates
An effective food system in the state’s prisons should go beyond just feeding prisoners. That’s the message of some lawmakers in the state Senate. The governor announced he wants to end privatized food service in the state’s prisons. Senator John Proos, R-St. Joseph, said this is an opportunity to go a step further. He’s put together a work group to explore training inmates in food services. Proos said there are thousands of available jobs across the state in the restaurant industry. “Now’s the time to redesign the way that we give transferrable skills, credited skills, and the ability for those individuals coming back out to work in the marketplace that has significant job needs today,” said Proos. The workgroup will include representatives from the Michigan Department of Corrections, the Michigan Restaurant Association, and business leaders in the restaurant industry. “We have agreed to participate in a work group that will look at ways to strengthen the skills the prisoners receive
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Aramark contract "up in the air" after more maggots found in prison food
Aramark Correctional Services, the private company that provides food to Michigan prisons, is in trouble again. Inmates at the Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance Center in Jackson found maggots while peeling potatoes Tuesday morning . Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan says the warden was notified, and quickly moved to dispose of all the potatoes. The kitchen was then thoroughly bleached. No resulting health problems have been reported. Last week, 30 inmates at another Jackson prison fell ill after maggots were found in the chow hall. Aramark has had a number of serious issues since it took over as the prison system’s food service provider in December. The company was cited for food shortages, under-staffing, and employees’ smuggling contraband into prisons, among other things. The state fined it $98,000 for some of the violations in March. After meal shortages led to prisoner unrest and safety concerns in some facilities, MDOC put Aramark “on notice that…any
↧
Inmates blast Aramark, Kent County sheriff for food poisoning incidents
A handful of former inmates at the Kent County jail are suing the sheriff and food service provider Aramark. The case stems from a food-borne illness. One afternoon, in April 2012, at least a couple hundred inmates at the Kent County Jail got really sick. The culprit? Bad chicken tacos. Court documents say they suffered pain, cramps, diarrhea and “long-term adverse health consequences” that’s weren’t detailed.
↧
Lawmakers call for health departments to inspect prison kitchens
Republican and Democratic lawmakers at the state Capitol say it’s time for prison kitchens to be inspected by local health agencies. That’s after the most recent instance of maggots found in a corrections food service facility. Prison kitchens are exempt from local health inspections.
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