Inmate chef overspends food budget at Bryan County Jail

Monday, January 10th 2005, 6:37 am

By: News On 6

DURANT, Okla. (AP) -- Inmate meals at the Bryan County Jail aren't what they used to be after an inmate chef with a gourmet palate spent more than twice as much on groceries as was budgeted.

Jail officials are cutting costs in the kitchen after authorities were billed $13,000 for a month's worth of inmate food. The monthly grocery bill at the jail is usually about $5,000.

The interim jail administrator, Jerry Ridgway, says the menu is back to normal and inmates are eating chicken patties instead of chicken breasts. Ridgway says staff members are now ordering the food and taking inventory.

The inmate who ordered the food was a trusty who has since been released. Ridgway said he expects no repercussions against him.