DC Department of Corrections Food Survey

We are collecting stories and information from those who have been incarcerated in DC about their experience eating in DC-based correctional facilities (Central Detention Facility and Correctional Treatment Facility). The goal of this survey is to gather testimonials on the experiences and impacts of eating in confinement in DC from the experts--those who have eaten the food themselves and their loved ones. The results will inform organizing work and prioritize efforts based on the top needs of those directly impacted.

Please complete the survey below if you want to share your experiences and opinions. Responses are anonymous and will not be published or shared publicly with any identifying information. Full results will be accessed by staff from DC Justice Lab, Don't Mute My Health, Impact Justice, Family & Friends of Incarcerated People, DC Greens, and other coalition organizations.

It should take about 10-15 minutes to complete and all questions are optional.

Do we have your permission to anonymously quote direct responses in support of advocacy or testimony in support of better food practices?

YesNo

Have you been incarcerated in the DC jail yourself?

YesNoPlease note: throughout this survey we refer to the "DC jail." We use this in reference to either CDF (Central Detention Facility) or CTF (Central Treatment Facility).

What is your relationship to the topic of DC jail food?

I have loved ones who are or have been incarcerated in the DC jailI work in the DC jailI volunteer/do programming inside the DC jailI live near the DC jailOther

Please describe "Other"

Describe the food served in the DC jail based on what you know.

What impact(s)--physical, mental, or emotional--have you witnessed as a result of the food available in the DC jail?

Please describe "Other"

Please answer the following questions thinking about the time you spent at the DC jail.

How often did you do the following?

	Always	Often	Sometimes	Rarely	Never	N/A
I ate the meals provided
I had access to fresh vegetables
I had access to fresh fruit
I had concerns about the safety of the food that was served to me
I had access to current information about the ingredients of the food I was served

Were you ever served spoiled or rotten food?

YesNoDon't know/don't remember

Were you ever disciplined because of a food-related policy?

YesNoDon't know/don't rememberFor example, sharing food, preparing food in a cell, etc.

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

	Strongly agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly disagree	N/A
I had enough food to feel full
The meals seemed appetizing
The meals seemed nutritious
I used food as a currency for things I wanted or needed
I had to do things that were against policy or rules to get access to more or better food
Foods that were supposed to be served hot or cold were served at the appropriate temperature
There were enough hot meals provided
I experienced negative changes to my physical health while inside as a result of the food served
I experienced negative changes to my mental or emotional health while inside as a result of the food served
If I gave an opinion about a meal, it was taken seriously by the cooks or food manager.

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

	Strongly agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly disagree	N/A
I had enough time to eat my food during meals
The place where I ate most meals was welcoming and social
The meals were served at times of day that seemed appropriate
Food trays and dining areas were kept clean and sanitary
Commissary provided a large variety of food options
Commissary provided healthy food options
I could afford commissary purchases (with or without assistance from loved ones on the outside)

Did you ever request or receive a special diet?

YesNo

Check all the special diets that you requested or received:

Religious diet (e.g., specific diet for kosher, halal, etc.)Medical diet (e.g., specific diet for pregnancy, diabetes, allergies, etc.)Unsure/don't knowOther

Please describe "Other"

Describe the special diet you requested or received:

Describe the process involved with requesting this diet (e.g., did you submit a request, was it recommended by a doctor, etc.)

Was your access to the special diet ever revoked or denied?

YesNo

What was the rationale for revoking or denying the diet?

Were you ever placed in any type of solitary confinement (e.g., administrative segregation, a "safe cell," etc.)

YesNo

Were you ever placed in solitary because of food-related policy infractions?

YesNo

Describe how the food in solitary confinement compared to food in the general population (meals and commissary access)

Did you ever work in the jail kitchen?

YesNo

Describe your experience working in the kitchen

Have you been incarcerated in facilities other than the DC jail?

YesNo

Describe how the food at the DC jail compared to other correctional facilities

Since returning home, have you noticed any differences in your health, whether physical, mental, or emotional, that may be attributable to what or how you ate while incarcerated? If so, please describe them here.

Note: this may include impacts from other correctional facilities outside of just the DC jail.

If you could change one thing to improve the eating experience at the DC jail, what would your top priority be?

What other changes would you like to see to the eating experience in the DC jail?

Do you have any ideas about how these changes could or should be implemented? If so, please share them here.

Is there anything else you would like to capture about the experience of eating in the DC jail that was not captured in this survey?

We are interested in connecting with people who would like to be involved in the effort to improve the food experience in the DC jail. If you would like to stay updated or get involved, there will be a link you can navigate to after you hit "Submit".