Making Fatty Girl Cakes: Food and Resistance in a Women's Prison. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smoyer, Amy B.
• Is Part Of: Prison journal. Volume 96:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: women -- prisoners -- resistance -- food; Prisons -- Periodicals; Prisons -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 365.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0032885515596520
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-8855

Abstract

This article builds on existing knowledge of inmate resistance by analyzing formerly incarcerated women's narratives about prison food. Participants described trying to secure extra cafeteria portions, hoarding food, smuggling and stealing food, and cooking and eating in the cells—all to resist prison power and gain some control over their lives by managing what, how, when, and with whom they ate. These data shed light on prison life and suggest changes to food policy to curb inmate resistance and bolster the rehabilitative potential of correctional facilities.