Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Jail/prison

maximoo

By maximoo
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Pegleg84 Collaborator
Pegleg84
Posted

Bwahaha! So true

Honestly, it would likely save the prison system money if they did make sure a Celiac inmmate stuck to the gluten-free diet, rather than spending extra on health care when they start getting horribly ill. Rice and potatoes really aren't that expensive. Boil. Serve. Simple.

I don't know what the situation is in Canada either. It would probably also depend on where it was.

Thankfully I've only been given hospital food once since going gluten-free, and that was unexpected (stuck in emergency for a good 8 hours. and they thought to feed me. I was pretty impressed actually). I think I only ate the peas, but it was a nice gesture.

I don't care what the crime. Forcing a Celiac to eat gluten is a cruel and unusual punishment.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Just to add a little updated light to this subject.

My boyfriend was sentenced to a correctional facility (jail with daily work release, more or less) today. His lawyer was pleading down the number of days and using Celiac's/Gluten Intolerance as a reason why he should not serve the full recommended 30 days. Well in the end, the judge ruled that Gluten Intolerances are very common now and that the facility would be able to support him. I have not heard from him yet how the food is or if they even make an effort to cater towards the gluten-free inmates but I will keep you guys posted. From what the Judge said, it sounds like they might in some places now.

I would be curious to know how it goes for him. Does he have an actual diagnosis from a doctor? It probably depends on the actual jail. If he is going to his own job during the day and back to jail at night, he could get something he could eat during the day? Its funny how all you have to do is say that you have a religious reason to eat Kosher or Halal and a preferance for vegetarian and they have to accomadate you.

Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

#1 reason to keep homicidal tendencies in check? Can't control food in jail. :lol:

I wish I could find it again but there was a recent article about a local jail here in Utah. The inmates who are in for short(ish) periods of time and are non-violent offenders are put to work in the kitchen. They are taught a trade (more or less) working in the kitchen, it keeps them from having to pay kitchen staff to cook for a jail full of people. The jail keeps a garden that they also tend. They also prepare the meals for the local meals-on-wheels program, which the seniors absolutely love. Once or twice a month they'll bring a few of the seniors into the jail on a sort of field trip to see the kitchen and how their food is prepped, and to meet the men who do it. By all accounts in the story, everyone says the food is really great. They prepare meals for a variety of people on special diets, the men learn how to handle things like CC and the special diets. It didn't mention a gluten free or celiac diet, but it could be one of the special diets that they are prepping for.

Frankly I think the program is amazing. I think it is great to take the opportunity to put them to work, save money, and provide them with a skill that can help them get a job and hopefully keep them from re-offending. I think it is a model program that more prisons/jails should look at and emulate.

gatita Enthusiast
gatita
Posted

Adalaide, that sounds like a win-win program. :)

I visit a lot of people in prison as part of my job, and it often involves spending en entire day with them in the visiting room. I have a heck of a time figuring out what to eat. It's the only "eating out" I do anymore LOL.

So far, I've only been glutened once, but I often just go hungry. Friends tell me the prison does accommodate celiac inmates. Apparently the diet is pretty much rice and more rice and some chicken. The thing they call a meat patty is off limits.

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

I also think that prison inmates (that will be getting released) should have job training.

I did tour the ancient Jackson, Mi prison. that is now being refurbished to low income artist homes and sales studio spaces. The artist has home space on upper levels and the lowest level is workspace offices.

In the tour it was mentioned that the prison ran a farm. They produced ALL the food for the prison and SOLD the rest for PROFIT. The at one time they had one of the most popular jams and honey.

Googles Community Regular
Googles
Posted

I asked my uncle this question. He worked for a number of years at a prison. He said that they were required to provide gluten free meals for inmates with celiac because of the ADA. If not they could be sued. So they were very careful to attend to dietary needs because of medical disorders. It might vary by state or jurisdiction. I worked with juvinile offenders in a residentail treatment facility and we provided gluten free meals for those youth who had celiac.

KikiB Explorer
KikiB
Posted

No, I was in hospital in the US and the kitchen staff didn't even know what gluten was. They had special diets for everything but gluten. So they put me on a cardiac diet which meant I couldn't eat anything laugh.gif

I was recently in the ER and when I asked about the medication they were giving me and whether it had gluten in it, they had absolutely no clue. One nurse said why would there be gluten in medication? I'm pretty sure the shot they gave me was full of gluten based on my reaction. It took me a week to fill the antibiotic prescription because first I had to wait until I was well enough to sit up and research it, then I had to get my pharmacy to special order it from a particular manufacturer. I've already had to do that with several medications. And I wind up paying more money because it is special ordered from a manufacturer that is not "preferred."

That's my rant. Why does there have to be gluten in medication at all? Why don't doctors or pharmacists have a clue?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I was recently in the ER and when I asked about the medication they were giving me and whether it had gluten in it, they had absolutely no clue. One nurse said why would there be gluten in medication? I'm pretty sure the shot they gave me was full of gluten based on my reaction. It took me a week to fill the antibiotic prescription because first I had to wait until I was well enough to sit up and research it, then I had to get my pharmacy to special order it from a particular manufacturer. I've already had to do that with several medications. And I wind up paying more money because it is special ordered from a manufacturer that is not "preferred."

That's my rant. Why does there have to be gluten in medication at all? Why don't doctors or pharmacists have a clue?

Gluten would not be in an IV or injected medication. It is a large molecule and likely would clog things up. Gluten must be in the intestines to cause an antibody reaction

Open Original Shared Link

KikiB Explorer
KikiB
Posted

Gluten would not be in an IV or injected medication. It is a large molecule and likely would clog things up. Gluten must be in the intestines to cause an antibody reaction

Open Original Shared Link

If it wasn't in the shot, it was in the pills they gave me.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

If it wasn't in the shot, it was in the pills they gave me.

That is possible. They didn't feed you did they? Or give you a " contrast" for an X-ray to drink?

KikiB Explorer
KikiB
Posted

That is possible. They didn't feed you did they? Or give you a " contrast" for an X-ray to drink?

No food. No x-ray. I had a ct-scan but nothing to drink for it. I was shocked that the nurse knew nothing about gluten in medication. Shouldn't medical personnel know that stuff?

MJ-S Contributor
MJ-S
Posted

Wow. This thread is fascinating. While someone "officially" diagnosed with celiac might be able to get a gluten-free diet while in prison, what about NCGS patients? I wonder if someone like myself, who never was officially diagnosed, would be able to get the diet, even though my doctor treats me as if I'm a celiac?

  • 3 years later...
Mac1234567 Newbie
Mac1234567
Posted

No, jail will not cater to celiac patients. You get what they give you and either eat it or starve. Most staff do not even know what gluten or celiac is. Nor do they care.  

Jmg Mentor
Jmg
Posted

This got me wondering what the UK prison approach was. Not so good it appears:

https://www.celiac.com/articles/23379/1/UK-Prisoner-Simon-Benson-Hangs-Self-in-Gluten-free-Food-Row/Page1.html

:(

The subsequent enquiry ruled he should've been given the diet. 

 

 

 

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,743
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MistyMoon
    Newest Member
    MistyMoon
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Theresa2407
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Theresa2407 · Posted

      Maybe you have a low  intolerance to Wheat.   Rye, Barley and Malt are the gluten in Celiac disease.  It has always been stated Wheat and Gluten, not just a Wheat intolerance.  Barley will keep me in bed for (2) weeks.  Gut, Migrains, Brain fog, Diahrea.  It is miserable.  And when I was a toddler the doctor would give me a malt medicine because I always had Anemia and did not grow.  Boy was he off.  But at that time the US didn't know anyone about Celiac.  This was the 1940s and 50s.  I had my first episode at 9 months and did not get a diagnosis until I was 50.  My immune system was so shot before being diagnoised, so now I live with the consequences of it. I was so upset when Manufacturers didn't want to label their products so they added barley to the product.  It was mostly the cereal industry.  3 of my favorite cereals were excluded because of this. Malt gives me a bad Gut reaction.
    • Gigi2025
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Gigi2025 · Posted

      Thanks much Scott.  Well said, and heeded.   I don't have Celiac, which is fortunate.
    • Scott Adams
      Possible celiac - need advice

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Do you have the results of your endoscopy? Did you do a celiac disease blood panel before that?  Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      Celiac or not??

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is odd that your Tissue Transglutaminase (TTG) IgA level has bounced from the "inconclusive" range (7.9, 9.8) down to a negative level (5.3), only to climb back up near the positive threshold. This inconsistency, coupled with your ongoing symptoms of malabsorption and specific nutrient deficiencies, is a strong clinical indicator that warrants a more thorough investigation than a simple "satisfactory" sign-off. A negative blood test does not definitively rule out celiac disease, especially with such variable numbers and a classic symptomatic picture. You are absolutely right to seek a second opinion and push for a referral to a gastroenterologist. A biopsy remains the gold standard for a reason, and advocating for one is the most direct path to getting the answers you need to finally address the root cause of your suffering. Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      There is a distinction between gluten itself and the other chemicals and processing methods involved in modern food production. Your experience in Italy and Greece, contrasted with your reactions in the U.S., provides powerful anecdotal evidence that the problem, for some people, may not be the wheat, but the additives like potassium bromate and the industrial processing it undergoes here. The point about bromines displacing iodine and disrupting thyroid function is a significant one, explaining a potential biological mechanism for why such additives could cause systemic health issues that mimic gluten sensitivity. It's both alarming and insightful to consider that the very "watchdog" agencies meant to protect us are allowing practices banned in many other developed countries. Seeking out European flour and your caution about the high-carb, potentially diabeticgenic nature of many gluten-free products are excellent practical takeaways from your research, but I just want to mention--if you have celiac disease you need to avoid all wheat, including all wheat and gluten in Europe.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.