By C1 Staff
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Corrections Facility is considering hiring Aramark Corrections Services as its food provider in order to make up for a $2 million budget gap, but staff members are speaking out against it.
Hiring Aramark would save the county $1.6 million and help cover the gap, according to WREG. But food service employees feel that the idea is a poor one, considering the company’s less than glowing reviews in recent newspapers.
But County Commissioner Mark Billingsley supported the proposal, saying it created a safety net for all employees.
Food service employees are afraid that changing the inmates’ meals up could cause issues, like riots.
Billingsley responded with, “If you don’t like the food in the corrections center, don’t commit the crime.”
The issue was eventually voted to be sent to the full Commission without recommendation. Another commissioner, Heidi Shafer, worries that if they can’t figure out this plan that only concerns 31 staff members, the state could pull out entirely, costing up to 700 corrections jobs.
The Commission will consider the decision at their next formal meeting.