Obese Inmate Sues Jail Because He's Lost 100 Pounds

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — An inmate awaiting trial on a murder charge is suing the county, complaining he has lost more than 100 pounds because of the jailhouse menu.

Broderick Lloyd Laswell says he isn't happy that he's down to 308 pounds after eight months in the Benton County jail. He has filed a federal lawsuit complaining the jail doesn't provide inmates with enough food.

According to the suit, Laswell weighed 413 pounds when he was jailed in September. Police say he and a co-defendant fatally beat and stabbed a man, then set his home on fire.

"On several occasions I have started to do some exercising and my vision went blurry and I felt like I was going to pass out," Laswell wrote in his complaint. "About an hour after each meal my stomach starts to hurt and growl. I feel hungry again."

But Laswell then goes on to complain that he undertakes little vigorous activity.

"If we are in a small pod all day (and) do next to nothing for physical exercise, we should not lose weight," the suit says. "The only reason we lost weight in here is because we are literally being starved to death."

The suit also asks that the county be ordered to serve hot meals. The jail has served only cold food for years.

The meals, provided through Aramark Correctional Institution Services, average 3,000 calories a day, jail Capt. Hunter Petray told The Morning News of northwest Arkansas for a story Saturday.

A typical Western diet consists of 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day.

Laswell's suit was filed without a lawyer in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.

Comments

[Tommygun264]

08:48 AM on 04/30/2008

And this story is worthy of being carried by anyone other tha a supermarket tabloid because...?

[MissAngela]

09:39 PM on 04/29/2008

Not that I feel sorry for this man, or his case, but...
My best friend is in jail right now, has been in prison, and he's a bigger than average guy (in height, not width) and he says that the food is terrible, and insufficient. Not enough protein, not enough greens.

To eat well, myself, his family and wife, have to send extra money. Prisons are often run by private corporations - so if they don't give enough food, they can make money buy charging for the extra food. However, many people in jail/prison don't have family, or do, but they can't/won't send the extra cash.
Ahhhh - capitalism

[Tommygun264]

09:05 AM on 04/30/2008

You make a valid point, MissAngela. America's prisons have been allowed to deteriorate to third-world status. Privatization and the legalized use of prisoners for what amounts to corporate slave labor is a shame and disgrace. But this story is hardly a rallying point for the promotion of reform within the American penal system. A "Man Bites Dog" story featuring a thoroughly unsympathetic character such as this only promotes callous disregard for prisoners who have legitimate complaints.

[johnmorgan]

06:56 PM on 04/29/2008

He's complaining because he's lost 100 lbs? What's wrong with this idiot? He should be thanking the prison for its diet plan!

[Tommygun264]

09:12 AM on 04/30/2008

He should hang on to a pair of his old pants, then take one of those ridiculous fad diets out of a copy of "The Weekly World News" from ten or twenty years ago (long enough that no one will have a clear memory of the diet plan's details). Print it up in a book with a picture of himself holding up his old "fat" pants and he'll make a fortune.

[KOisGod]

12:53 AM on 04/29/2008

Jesus, what a bus

[lefilmnoir]

12:47 AM on 04/29/2008

Dear Warden and Kitchen Staff,

I'd like to propose "The Benton County Jail Diet" book. If you need a co-author, I'd be happy to accommodate you.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience.

[MsLiz]

12:09 AM on 04/30/2008

At 3000 calories a day, not everyone will lose weight. This guy burns extra calories because he is huge.

[AdultFilmLegend]

11:54 PM on 04/28/2008

Maybe it's a gland problem.

[CC1]

11:29 PM on 04/28/2008

It never ceases to amaze me, the lows that pampered criminals in jail will stoop to. I say "tough sh**" to this guy. If you don't like the food in jail, don't break the law.

[Anne1776]

10:39 PM on 04/28/2008

It is pathetic what our country has come to.

Citizens who are law abiding can't afford to pay health care, their grocery bill, or fuel expenses, but our taxes have to go to take care of a jerk like this! I say, give him PB & J's 3 times a day with water to drink. He should feel lucky to even get 3 meals a day!

[sklfcats]

09:43 PM on 04/28/2008

Maybe his 'fi fi' in jail likes BBW

[wolfgangmo]

08:53 AM on 04/29/2008

Ummm ... sorry to burst your bubble but a fifi is a toilet paper tube filled with some kind of lubricant. The term you are looking for is prison bitch or bull

[Marichu]

08:46 PM on 04/28/2008

Well, it definitely breaks the monotony for this man. Plus he gets those few seconds of fame. He is not just an inmate; he is fodder for blog sites!!

[ghostofgrrrl]

08:37 PM on 04/28/2008

maybe they should let him out for a little swim.
there's a great spot in north San Diego

[Theda]

01:55 AM on 04/29/2008

He's even too fat for a shark!

[desthmoneses]

03:22 PM on 04/29/2008

poor sharky he just kept biting and biting and swallowing and swallowing until his stomach burst, and the man never even felt what happened :(

[maschwab]

08:11 PM on 04/28/2008

A 3,000 calorie a day diet will support a body mass of about 200-250 pounds. Sounds like he is right on target. A sumo wrestler consumes about 10,000 calories a day to maintain 400 pounds. A Tour de France (not French toast) bicyclist consumes 6,000-7,000 calories a day due to the hugh amount of effort they are putting out. A short 5'0'' skinny 100 lbs person needs only a diet of about 1,200 calories a day.

[rh654]

06:42 PM on 04/28/2008

Can't someone just harpoon this slob and get it over with?

[edsel]

06:29 PM on 04/28/2008

Now I've heard everything!!!

[beekeeper]

06:15 PM on 04/28/2008

AMBULATORY LAND MASS