Employees Union Makes Pitch To Feed Ohio Prison Inmates

A state employees' union has made a pitch to take back the job of feeding Ohio's 50,000 prison inmates.
 
The union says its proposal includes a lower per meal cost than that offered by Philadelphia-based Aramark Correctional Services, whose 2-year contract is up this summer.
 
The plan presented Monday by the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association also includes strengthened security and sanitation training for food service coordinators.
 
The state prisons agency has recommended renewing Aramark's contract, saying it has saved taxpayers more than expected and had relatively few problems.
 
The company faced criticism last year over understaffing, running out of food, and a few cases of maggots near food prep areas.
 
Prisons spokeswoman JoEllen Smith said the department is reviewing the proposal. Aramark declined to comment.