Nancy Moran
Prisoners Aid Association of Maryland, Inc.
September 13, 1987
Mr. Kevan G
#143-###
954 Forrest Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Dear Mr. G:
I thank you for apprising me about the ongoing dialogue and communication and the progress that is being made with regard to the dietary system at the Penitentiary. Many of the members of Families of Prisoners and others are aware of the food poisoning incidents earlier this summer as well as the subsequent "boycott", which apparently has had certain beneficial side effects (though I have some reservations having to do with the Labor Day package cancellation).
I have reviewed the materials you forwarded and if I may would like to interject a couple of my own feelings because I feel they should be said in all this.
First I am troubled by what I perceive to be an over amount of anxiety and complaint solely on the basis of a person's sexual preference and the assumption because of it that the person has AIDS. This is not only WRONG, but it is unfair, and it is ignorant.
I have a college degree in science with a lot of Biology and a course in Hematology (study of blood) and I've been reading up on how AIDS goes from person to person. For a lot of reasons, including the fact that anyone can get AIDS, this bigotry should not be tolerated. If you have another reason why the person should not handle food, O.K. Homosexuality is not one of them.
Second, there should be a recognition and a separation of the kinds of issues that are being discussed. Things that have to do with sanitation, rotted food, improper handling (no hair nets, lack of refrigeration, rotating stock) go into a category covered by the Board of Health and are compulsory in accordance with State Law (that is, regulated by Health Inspectors rather than prison administrators). There should be no compromise such as in order to avoid incidents where dozens of people get sick at the same time.
A different category includes the kinds of foods that are offered and suggestions for additions (or subtractions) to the menu. Personally, I feel that there should be a lot more fruits and vegetables, and more eggs and less waffles and pancakes, for example.
Another category which I personally feel ought to be addressed is education about food. This is so the individual can look out for his own best nutrition and health even when nobody else does (inside or outside the institution). I'm enclosing some brochures I picked up at City Fair last year to explain what I mean.
I hope I haven't gone on too much about this topic, but I would like to repeat that I am very glad you sent me these materials, and I would like to add that situation(s) in the Penitentiary are being followed and assisted where possible whether or not the residents may be aware of it. Hope to hear from you again in the future and thanks for the information.
Sincerely,
Nancy Moran
nm
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