Former inmate Tammy Berg reveals Nevada prison food crisis at NDOC meeting

The Board of Prison Commissioners meeting on December 20, 2024, highlighted significant concerns regarding food quality and portion sizes within Nevada's correctional facilities. Several speakers, including former inmates and family members of current inmates, shared troubling accounts of inadequate meals and unsanitary conditions.

One former inmate recounted his experiences from 1999 to 2019, describing the food as often spoiled and insufficient. He noted that many inmates went to bed hungry, which he linked to increased hostility and unrest within the prison environment. He emphasized that while some staff members in the culinary department tried to make the best of the situation, they were constrained by limited resources and poor food quality. He expressed hope that these issues could be addressed effectively.

Tammy Berg, a mother of an inmate at High Desert State Prison, provided a detailed account of her son's meals, illustrating the stark reality of prison food. She described the breakfast and lunch options as minimal, with small portions that raised concerns about nutritional adequacy. Her son's meals included powdered eggs, limited meat, and insufficient vegetables, prompting questions about the overall health and well-being of inmates.

The testimonies presented during the meeting underscored a pressing need for reform in the food service provided by the Nevada Department of Corrections. The board's discussions may lead to further investigations and potential changes aimed at improving the quality and quantity of food served to inmates, addressing both health concerns and the overall atmosphere within correctional facilities.