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An Alcatraz Prisoner's Meal

Tasting History with Max Miller・18 minutes read

Alcatraz prison had surprisingly good food, with menus offering stuffed pork chops and cucumber salad, considered the best in the U.S. prison system at the time. Despite the prison's reputation, inmates who behaved received three meals a day, using hunger strikes as a form of protest and working in the kitchens as a coveted job for better treatment and privileges.

Insights

  • Alcatraz, despite its notorious reputation, surprisingly offered good meals to inmates and guards in the 1940s and 50s, with a menu that included dishes like stuffed pork chops and cucumber salad, showcasing a unique culinary aspect of the prison.
  • The closure of Alcatraz in 1963 was primarily attributed to its high operational costs, being three times more expensive than other prisons, highlighting the economic challenges that led to the end of its era as a correctional facility.

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Recent questions

  • What kind of food was served at Alcatraz?

    Alcatraz was known for serving surprisingly good meals to both inmates and guards, with dishes like stuffed pork chops, cucumber salad, and quickie apple pie. The food was considered the best in the U.S. prison system at the time, featuring items such as meatloaf, corned beef, and jambalaya.

  • How were inmates treated based on their behavior at Alcatraz?

    Inmates at Alcatraz who behaved well received good meals, while those in solitary confinement had limited food options. However, on Thanksgiving, even those in solitary confinement received a full dinner. The prison aimed to break inmates' spirits through good food rather than physical punishment.

  • What led to the closure of Alcatraz in 1963?

    Alcatraz closed in 1963 primarily due to its high cost of operation, being three times more expensive than other prisons. The closure was a result of the financial burden the prison posed, leading to its eventual shutdown.

  • How did inmates protest against bad conditions at Alcatraz?

    Inmates at Alcatraz used hunger strikes as a form of protest against the poor conditions in the prison. The Spaghetti Riot in 1950 was triggered by a decline in spaghetti quality, leading to a dangerous riot among the inmates.

  • What privileges did inmates working in the kitchens at Alcatraz receive?

    Working in the kitchens at Alcatraz was a coveted job that offered privileges like daily showers and better treatment. Inmates in the kitchens, like Alvin Karpis, even made their own wines and pastries, sometimes leading to drunken incidents.

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Summary

00:00

Alcatraz Cookbook: Surprising Meals Behind Bars

  • Alcatraz, known for housing notorious criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, was also infamous for its food.
  • In the 1940s and 50s, Alcatraz had menus that surprisingly offered good meals to inmates and guards.
  • The Alcatraz Women's Club in 1952 compiled a cookbook of recipes served on the island.
  • Recipes included stuffed pork chops, cucumber salad, and quickie apple pie.
  • To make the stuffed pork chops, cut pockets in thick chops, fill with a mixture of breadcrumbs, apple, onion, salt, pepper, and sage, then bake at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes.
  • Bright Cellars sponsored the video, offering a curated wine selection based on a quiz to match personal tastes.
  • For the cucumber salad, whip evaporated milk until stiff, add vinegar, sugar, paprika, salt, pour over sliced cucumbers and onions.
  • The food at Alcatraz was considered the best in the U.S. prison system at the time, with meals like meatloaf, corned beef, and jambalaya.
  • The menu had to be enticingly worded, with descriptions like 'June peas' to make the food more appealing.
  • Inmates who behaved received good meals, while those in solitary confinement had limited food, except on Thanksgiving when they received a full dinner.

12:04

Alcatraz: Food, Riots, and Closure

  • In Alcatraz, prisoners received three meals a day, which was considered better than many other prisons at the time.
  • The prison aimed to break inmates' spirits through good food rather than physical punishment.
  • Inmates used hunger strikes as a form of protest against bad conditions in the prison.
  • The Spaghetti Riot in 1950 was triggered by a decline in spaghetti quality, leading to a dangerous riot.
  • Working in the kitchens was a coveted job at Alcatraz, offering privileges like daily showers and better treatment.
  • Inmates in the kitchens, like Alvin Karpis, made their own wines and pastries, sometimes leading to drunken incidents.
  • Alcatraz closed in 1963 primarily due to its high cost of operation, being three times more expensive than other prisons.
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