“If we don’t work together, there is no pudding” : informal foodways and culinary agency in a South African female prison

Abstract

Poorly prepared or unpalatable food is often referred to as “prison food,” a term used to describe the tasteless meals served in correctional facilities This article examines the intertwined dynamics of food, emotional experience, innovation, and interpersonal relationships among women who serve prison sentences, with emphasis on the significance of informal foodways within correctional facilities. Personal interviews were conducted with twenty-three women who were imprisoned in a South African correctional center, and the data collected was thematically analyzed. The results show that female inmates often perceive prison food not merely as sustenance but as a symbol of punishment and emotional distress associated with their confinement. The deprivation of the basic human right to prepare and enjoy food exacerbates feelings of powerlessness, igniting a complex emotional response that includes anxiety and frustration. The research delineates four critical aspects of food culture in prisons: the prison shop and purchasing power, food bartering, cooking methods, and the importance of collective cooking in forging relationships among inmates. Given the absence of nutritional guidance and involvement in meal preparation, the study posits that the food experience significantly influences the overall psychological well-being of inmates. Strategies that include improving food quality and promoting culinary engagement are essential.