March 25, 2008 Inmate punishment by nutraloaf examined in Vermont Play video

(NECN) - Food or punishment? That is the question some Vermont prisoners are asking.

The concern surrounds something called Nutraloaf, a food that is given to prisoners who act up with guards.

Inmates in Vermont, say nutraloaf constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The Vermont State Supreme Court is now being asked to decide if the Department of Corrections can continue to feed nutraloaf to prisoners after they act up.

Nutraloaf is given to inmates only after specific situations, namely, when they misuse their dining utensils or when they throw human waste at prison staff.

Some say using nutraloaf to change inmate behavior might violate the constitution, since inmates are not afforded due process.

NECN's John Moroney has more.