Eating Behind Bars: Ending the Hidden Punishment of Food in Prison by Soble, Leslie

Eating Behind Bars: Ending the Hidden Punishment of Food in Prison

A vivid exploration of the food crisis affecting millions of incarcerated Americans, Eating Behind Bars sheds new...
$20.99 USD
$20.99 USD
Please hurry! Only 867 left in stock
Author: Leslie Soble
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Subtotal: $20.99

Free Shipping (Orders $60 USD or More)

Eating Behind Bars: Ending the Hidden Punishment of Food in Prison by Soble, Leslie

Eating Behind Bars: Ending the Hidden Punishment of Food in Prison

$20.99

Eating Behind Bars: Ending the Hidden Punishment of Food in Prison

$20.99
Author: Leslie Soble
Format: Paperback
Language: English
A vivid exploration of the food crisis affecting millions of incarcerated Americans, Eating Behind Bars sheds new light on the power--and peril--of what's on our plates

"This eye-opening book will convince you that everyone--absolutely everyone--is deserving of nourishing food that affirms their humanity and dignity."--José Andrés, chef and humanitarian


Prisons and jails are America's hidden "food deserts," where hunger and malnourishment coexist with shocking levels of food waste because much of what is served is so awful it ends up in the trash. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are tense and humiliating when incarcerated people are forced to eat in silence, finish meals within minutes, and disciplined with food deliberately worse than the standard fare.

This disturbing portrait came to light in 2020 when the nonprofit Impact Justice released the first-ever national examination of food in prison, catapulting the issue from the margins of prison litigation to the center of national conversations about mass incarceration and food justice. This landmark book digs deeper, revealing a systemic drive to cut costs at the expense of health and decency. It is also a story of resistance and hope, chronicling how incarcerated people and their allies are fighting back, as well as exploring "farm to tray" programs, chef-led initiatives, and other ways to make food in prison a source of healing and bring dignity back to the table.



Author: Leslie Soble,Alex Busansky,Aishatu R. Yusuf
Publisher: New Press
Published: 10/28/2025
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 7.80h x 6.10w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781620978405


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/18/2025

About the Author
Leslie Soble, an ethnographer and folklorist who specializes in food and foodways, is an internationally recognized voice on the carceral eating experience. In addition to leading the Food in Prison Project at Impact Justice, she is founder and artistic director of Story Soup, which facilitates dialogue across cultures and generations through food. She lives in Washington, DC.

Alex Busansky has spent the entirety of his career championing justice, working within existing legal systems, leading nonprofit organizations, and spearheading creative interventions that expand opportunity for system-impacted people. He is founder and president of Impact Justice and a board member of the Ms. Foundation for Women. He lives in Berkeley, California, with his family.

Dr. Aishatu R. Yusuf is a recognized change-maker with expertise in the systemic barriers that keep individuals and communities from reaching their potential. As vice president of innovation programs at Impact Justice, she oversees a portfolio of transformational projects that tackle complex social problems from an intersectional perspective. She lives in Oakland, California.

Operating nationally, the nonprofit Impact Justice is known for its bold ideas and boundary-breaking programs that challenge America's obsession with endless punishment.

Returns Policy

You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.

Shipping

We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.

When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.

Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.

Related Products

Recently Viewed Products