Tobacco was the preferred currency that inmates use in prisons before. Nowadays, the chosen currency of inmates is ramen. Jailbirds were no longer happy with the food’s quality and quantity inside the prison that they have begun depending on ramen noodles as a form of cash in the subterranean economy. Ramen turned into an invaluable product used to trade for other goods inside the prison as it is economical, palatable and rich in calories. 60 inmates were interviewed as a part of the study to learn how the inmates responded to the declining services in prison. The food received by the inmates is either inedible or too little to sustain them for a day.
Ramen packs were being used in trade-off for other necessities of the inmates. The ration of the food for every meal diminished. The prisoners were used to receive three hot meals in a day but the second meal was altered to a cold sandwich and chips. People behind the bars paid more for an envelope when there is a need for them to write to their family or relatives to get more ramen. The states spent about 48.5 million USD in 2010 but spendings for the penitentiary declined by 5.6% from 2009. Due to the cost-cutting measures by private facilities, it led to subpar food quality and fewer meals making ramen as a commodity that trades well above its value.
Vocabulary:
jailbird– a person who is or has been confined in jail
subterranean – exisiting or working in secret
palatable – having a pleasant or agreeable taste
inedible – not fit to be eaten
trade–off – a giving up of one thing in return for another; exchange
diminish – to become or to cause something to become less in size, importance, etc.
penitentiary – a place for imprisonment, reformatory discipline or punishment for serious offenders.
subpar – below an average, usual, or normal level, quality or the like; below the par
commodity – an economic good
True or False:
- Mackerel was the preffered currency inside the prison.
- Jailbirds were happy on the quality and quantity of the food inside the prison.
- Ramen noodles became the form of money in subterranean economy.
- Ramen is economical.
- Ramen packs were used in exchanging for other goods such as food items, clothes, etc.
Defend your argument:
- Do you think ramen noodles is a good form of money inside the prison?
- Without the cost-cutting measures, do you think ramen will still become the primary commodity inside the prison?
- What do you think are the effects if there will be a shortage of ramen noodles inside the prison?
- What do you think are the reasons why ramen noodles became the new currency iniside the prison?
Express your opinion:
- Do you agree that there should be cost-cutting measures inside the prison?
- Do you think that the treatment to the prisoners is fair? Why or why not?
- Do you think having ramen noodles as a staple food inside the prison is good for the health of the prisoners? Why or why not?
- Is it right to have declining services inside the prison? Why or why not?