What’s on the Menu: Real Meat or Meatrock?
When we think about prison meals, we expect them to be basic, but safe and nutritious. Unfortunately, for those incarcerated in the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), what’s being served is far from acceptable. Behind closed doors, our loved ones are being served what’s commonly known as “meatrock”, and it’s not just unappetizing. It’s dangerous.
What is Meatrock?
Meatrock is a heavily processed, low-grade food product made from mechanically separated chicken. The name itself, meat + rock, comes from its tough, dense texture that, in some forms, literally resembles a rock. It is known to lack adequate nutritional value and is often laced with preservatives, fillers, and unhealthy additives.
This isn’t just bad food, it’s a health hazard.
Health Consequences of Consuming Meatrock
Inmates report suffering from digestive issues, skin conditions, fatigue, and other health problems as a direct result of their diets. Over time, a steady intake of meatrock and similarly low-quality products can contribute to:
- High blood pressure
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Stomach and intestinal disorders
- Food-borne illness
- Inflammatory diseases
Taxpayers are funding this? Yes. And it gets worse.
The Great Food Deception: What Visitors Don’t See
There’s a “Jet Eyed” mind trick being played, an illusion created when visitors come to the facilities. During these visits, inmates are temporarily served real meat, pizza, and quality meals. Visitors leave impressed, believing their loved ones are being treated with dignity.
But once those visitors return home, so does reality. The real meat disappears, and the meatrock returns to the tray.
It’s a carefully staged act to avoid outside criticism. A bait-and-switch.
Who’s Really Eating the Good Food?
According to inmate reports and inside sources, it’s the staff members who are dining well, not the inmates. Using taxpayer money, staff eat proper meals, while incarcerated individuals eat processed scraps. They are literally eating the meals and funding meant for rehabilitation.
This is not just unethical, it’s theft under the guise of operations.
Food Portions and Menu Manipulation
Menus posted inside facilities list balanced meals with proteins, vegetables, and starches, but those meals often never make it to the tray. Instead, inmates receive:
- Incorrect food portions
- Substituted or missing items
- The same meatrock-based meals on repeat
This leaves incarcerated individuals underfed, frustrated, and physically deteriorating.
The Urgent Call to Action: Fix the Menu, Feed the People
We demand transparency, accountability, and nutritional justice for every incarcerated individual. The issues are not minor; they are systemic, harmful, and dehumanizing.
Here’s what must happen:
- Stop the use of meatrock and provide real, safe protein
- Serve the meals listed on the menu, in the correct portions
- Stop manipulating food quality during visits to paint a false image
Ensure taxpayer-funded food goes to the inmates, not the staff
🗣️ Final Word: Dignity Starts With a Meal
Feeding someone should never be used as a tool of manipulation or punishment. Every human being, regardless of where they are, deserves nutritious, honest meals, especially when taxpayer dollars are footing the bill.
The Virginia Department of Corrections must be held accountable for this deception and harm. Our loved ones deserve better.
Until the next time,
Share Life, Be Life, Love Life, & Live Life
