Our Florida Lawyers Help When Prisoners are Killed by a Lack of Food and Water
Deprivation of food and water has been determined to constitute a violation of a prisoner’s rights under the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution. But what does this mean, exactly, in practical terms? The following are answers to common questions regarding the deprivation of food and water. Bear in mind, however, that the answers to the matters addressed in these questions may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. If you suspect a loved died from a lack of food and water, contact a Florida inmate death attorney at our firm
What happens when a prisoner refuses to eat?
There has never been a Supreme Court case addressing this matter, and the particulars vary depending on the jurisdiction. However, it is a generally accepted rule that when a prisoner consistently refuses to consume food to the point that their life or health is significantly threatened, prison officials can pursue the option of medically supervised force-feeding.
Do prison inmates pay for food?
Prison inmates are provided a standard fare of three meals per day in most jurisdictions. If they want additional food, most prisoners can purchase it from the prison commissary. Many inmates work a job while in prison to obtain the money needed to pay for additional provisions. Family and friends are also able to contribute to the prisoner’s account.
What food is given in prison?
For various reasons, prison food is notorious for being inedible and unpalatable. First of all, the laws and rules that govern what prisoners are fed vary from state to state and the different court systems in each state. It is not uncommon for local, state, and federal prisons in the same area to operate by different guidelines. Also, officials typically spend as little as possible on prisoner food to save money and slash budget costs.
Portions are small, but licensed dieticians review prison menus to ensure inmates’ basic nutritional needs are being met and the prisoners’ diets are well rounded. A typical day in a Florida state prison may include the following meals:
- Breakfast: One cup of oatmeal, two pieces of coffee cake, fruit, coffee, and breakfast beverage
- Lunch: Chicken and potato casserole, carrots, sweet peas, pan bread, cookie, and fortified tea
- Dinner: Fish patty, cheesy grits, cabbage, spice cake with icing, and fortified beverage
Do prisoners have access to water?
Prisoners should have access to clean water for drinking and practicing good hygiene. The method it is provided may vary by jurisdiction. For example, in some prisons, the inmate may have a sink and toilet in their cell. In other prisons, they may not have these items in their cell, but they can access them in another part of the prison.
Contact Our Florida Inmate Wrongful Death Lawyers Today for Malnutrition and Dehydration Death Cases
Contact our firm today if your loved one has died while incarcerated or if you have suffered significant damages due to the denial of food and water while in prison. The offices of Lauer & Currie, P.A. are conveniently located in Fort Lauderdale, but we serve clients throughout Florida’s jails, including those in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade County. We are experienced attorneys that will fight for your recovery. Contact us online or call our law firm at 954-533-4498.