A notable inmate at a federal correctional facility in New Jersey helped orchestrate a special Thanksgiving meal for the prison population this week.
The effort involved coordinating a two-day operation to provide a turkey dinner to every housing unit at the low-security Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix. Working with an internal group, the individual funded the purchase of food from the prison commissary to prepare what was described as a home-cooked style meal for the holiday.
In a statement, the inmate emphasized the importance of the holiday. “Thanksgiving is about making sure other people eat,” the statement read. “People get depressed during the holidays. We just wanted to come together as a family.”
The logistical challenges were significant, as inmates do not have access to standard kitchen appliances like stoves or knives. Reports indicate that ingredients were prepared using improvised methods.
The inmate, who was transferred to the facility in late October, reflected on the experience, noting a sense of community among the incarcerated. “There is a strong brotherhood. We all look out for each other,” the statement said, describing the effort as “a little bit of home in a dark place.”
Typically, holiday meals in such institutions are minimal. The standard menu for the day included turkey roast with trimmings, mashed potatoes, corn, and dessert.
The inmate is currently serving a sentence following a federal trial.
