Hunger Strike at the Utah State Prison

[hawkeye3210]

Sorry....you did the crime, you do the time.  You're in there fir a reason, it's a prison for God's sake, not a spa.  Next they will want lobster!  You don't want to eat what they serve you, starve!

They want sanitary conditions, not lobster. This has nothing to do with the food.

[hawkeye3210]

Let them starve they are in there for a reason if they don't like the food then let them be morons.

Has nothing to do with the food they are served.

[hawkeye3210]

But, does anyone really think that a "hunger strike" will change anything???  Somehow I doubt it!   

Gandhi lead multiple hunger strikes while in prison. There's a long history of hunger strikes leading to changes to prison conditions, as well as other political issues. It worked in 2013 in California, as prison conditions were reformed. I have little doubt that this will likely end up resulting in some changes in the Utah prison system.

[BMaston12]

I heard on the news tonight that 48 inmates at the Utah State Prison are on a Hunger Strike.  Apparently, they are refusing to consume the meals that the prison provides because they want to experience an improvement in their living conditions.

Even though they're refusing to consume the meals provided....

they have been seen buying and consuming products from the commissary.

What do you think about all this?

Can they reasonably expect to be treated better?

Haven't heard this. But if they are buying food from elsewhere, how can they be taken seriously. I wonder how the food gets into the prison. Is the commissary in the prison? Not familiar with this. BMaston12

[ktheodos]

I don't know anything about this, but I would say that they really have no reason to complain...in some instances, prison inmates are treated better than others like the homeless, etc. I'm not saying I don't think they should receive food, etc., but seriously, it's prison for a reason...

[mrrangerrick]

Prisoners should be punished, not rewarded.

[carolhall1031]

From the food I see served on television shows in prisons, it looks pretty bad.  I also know from having worked in a prison kitchen that you don't have a lot to work with.

[Penwoir]

That's a really interesting thought. My gut reaction is that this is prison, not a vacation resort, a learning facility or culinary experience. It is prison, where all luxuries, privileges, and perks have been terminated. Why should prisoners have a say in what they eat, or even the quality of what they eat, when they are clearly in prison because they have violated civil living. Someone suggested why the prisoners can't learn to cultivate plants, to grow their own crops and whilst I agree this would teach them to nurture something, gardening is a real privilege and to many, a worthwhile hobby. Also, to use the commissary facilities whilst on a hunger strike is rather selective isn't it? In my opinion, they shouldn't get commissary facilities either.

[linderlizzie]

I have modified my post since I read a little bit about the hunger strike.

Their list of demands included moving gang leaders out of a maximum-security unit, said Utah Department of Corrections spokeswoman, Brooke Adams. All of the participating inmates are documented gang members, she said. What!!???

[ghunter]

Let them strike, they are being treated good and should be served bread and water.  The crimes they committed they deserved it.

[ljrjess69]

let them starve..........