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Committee asks DOC to study expanding prison farming and 'food as medicine' approaches; DOC to report back
Summary
Lawmakers pressed the Department of Corrections on whether expanding farm production and 'food as medicine' initiatives could reduce food costs and support reentry; DOC said it will examine feasibility, security and potential costs and return to the committee within about a month.
Committee members asked whether DOC could increase in‑house food production and adopt a "food as medicine" approach to reduce food service costs and support reentry. Deputy Commissioner Daley said the department would need to examine security protocols, transport costs between institutions and other cost measures before drawing conclusions and cautioned that some changes might require additional appropriations.
Daley told the committee she expected the department could assemble an initial proposal and timeline "in a month or less" and welcomed further discussion at the department and cabinet level. The committee discussed inviting DOC back in October to present a more detailed plan and supporting data. No formal motion or appropriation was made at the hearing; members requested historical production records and a short timeline for the department’s feasibility work.
