I'm responding to the story about food in the jails [Food & Flavor, April 24]. Honestly, who cares? If those people were worried about what they were being fed, then they shouldn't have committed a crime. Inmates get enough perks being in jail -- TV, computers, libraries. No wonder the justice system can't deter crime. With all the problems in this world that involve innocent people, sorry I don't find any compassion with what those inmates are being served.

ANNMARIE DUPAIN, Burgettstown

Don't end up there and they won't have to complain. They are criminals -- give them bread and water. Write about something that is a concern to Americans!

KIRSTEN E. FORBES, Dravosburg

Isn't it ironic that the meal planners serve meat, a product of violence against animals? Why not save the taxpayers a few bucks and serve beans or tofu instead of meat a few days a week at the Big House?

DAVID J. COOPER Mt. Lebanon

It must really be a slow news day in Pittsburgh when we have to have a cover story about the lamentations of convicted felons and what they get to eat at the expense of the honest taxpayer. Why not a story about law-abiding citizens who do not get federally mandated three "nutritionally adequate" meals a day? It makes me sick that anyone actually cares that these felons have to eat something as dreadful as nonmelted cheese. What a shame. Even getting three meals a day is more than ANY criminal deserves.

MICHAEL DESENSI, West View

How about a story about the financial drain prisoners really are on Allegheny County resources?

DENNIS BARAN, Johnsonburg

Please: How much can some lettuce and carrots cost to give some nutritional foods to the inmates? Probably just as much as that fake cheese or bologna. I realize jail is not a hotel but please just try giving a well-balanced meal and this could prove to be so beneficial to both the inmates and the staff. The inmates might be a little easier to get along with.

I was in the hospital once and the only thing you could look forward to was the food. And it was not the best but, boy, did you look for those trays to come every day. I believe it is the same in prison, where time stands still. Just one piece of fresh fruit, for goodness sake.

KATHLEEN FORSYTHE, Lincoln Place

You missed the most important part of the story. How much more are we paying as taxpayers by what is in the estimation of the casual observer "virtually the same food"? Twelve cents a meal times three meals a day times 3,000 inmates times 365 days equals $394,200 per year. An amount that could have been spent on programs more worthy than the concerns of criminals regarding beans and processed cheese.

TONY CEOFFE, Lawrenceville

To all the inmates: If you can't stand the food ... don't do the crime!

EDDIE LOWY, Downtown

I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your article "Food for the body and spirit" (April 24). It's good to see someone writing about the human side of nutrition therapies, and in such a compelling and compassionate way. I don't know if it might interest you, or if maybe you already stumbled across our Web site, but if you want to, check out www.oley.org. We're a nonprofit founded to help people on long-term parenteral and/or enteral nutrition.

LISA METZER, Editor, LifelineLetter
The Oley Foundation
Albany, N.Y.