Hailey
Oklahoma officials have officially voided a $74 million contract to privatize food services in state-run prisons after discovering that the selected vendor, Trinity Services Group, failed to meet required nutritional standards.
The contract had initially been awarded to Trinity, but their proposed meal plan did not align with the state’s dietary guidelines for inmates.
Aramark Raises Red Flags Over Meal Quality
Aramark, the only other bidder for the contract, filed a formal protest arguing that Trinity’s bid was only cheaper because it proposed nutritionally inadequate meals.
According to Aramark, Trinity’s menu was high in sodium and fat while lacking sufficient protein, a key nutritional element.
A deeper analysis revealed that Trinity’s proposed meals provided only 11.5% of calories from protein, falling short of the 15% minimum outlined in the state’s request for proposal (RFP).
Additionally, fat accounted for 35% of daily caloric intake—well above the 30% cap—while sodium levels regularly surpassed the 3.5 grams daily limit.
Trinity’s cost per non-specialty meal, including overhead, was pegged at $1.68.
However, Aramark contended in a 43-page protest that these savings came at the expense of inmate health and that the menu could not be amended to meet compliance.
Procurement Oversight and Cancellation
Despite the clear deviation from nutritional benchmarks, state procurement officers failed to flag these issues during the evaluation phase.
Aramark argued that Trinity’s proposal should have been disqualified outright for noncompliance.
In response, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) reviewed Aramark’s protest and, while stopping short of awarding the contract to Aramark, agreed that Trinity’s plan was flawed and formally canceled the contract on June 6.
No Response from Key Vendors
Attempts to obtain comment from both Aramark and Trinity Services Group, two major players in the multi-billion-dollar correctional food service industry, were unsuccessful. Neither company responded to emails or phone calls regarding the decision.
Advocacy Concerns Over Inmate Health
Emily Barnes, founder of the Oklahoma-based prisoner rights group Hooked on Justice, welcomed the cancellation but criticized officials for not identifying the nutritional gaps earlier.
“They should have caught this before awarding the contract,” Barnes said, adding that low-quality meals can exacerbate health problems and increase tension and violence in prison settings. “To me, it just seems like they’re trying to save money.”
What’s Next for Prison Food Services in Oklahoma
With the contract now canceled, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is planning to issue a new bid for food services.
The goal is to enhance inmate satisfaction, maintain nutritional integrity, and reduce operational strain on the department.
However, no specific timeline for the new procurement process has been established.
New Oversight Under MOHA Health Initiative
In the meantime, the DOC will play a key role in Governor Kevin Stitt’s Make Oklahoma Healthy Again (MOHA) initiative, inspired by a federal health commission model once overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr..
Once the Lawton Correctional Facility acquisition is finalized on July 25, the department will be responsible for feeding over 20,000 inmates daily. As part of MOHA’s health reform, DOC Director Steven Harpe (or an appointed representative) will:
- Report the use of artificial food dyes, such as Red Dye 40, across all prison meal programs.
- Establish a formal policy on artificial food colorings by August 31.
- Join the MOHA Advisory Council, where they will contribute to policymaking related to inmate health and nutrition reform.
Oklahoma’s decision to cancel the $74 million prison food service contract with Trinity Services Group highlights the importance of prioritizing nutritional standards over cost-saving measures in correctional facilities.
As the Department of Corrections prepares a new bidding process and participates in broader health initiatives, advocates and inmates alike will be watching closely to ensure better oversight and healthier outcomes behind bars.