Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: The Boston Marathon Bomber's Prison Life and Big Mac Fascination
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the infamous Boston Marathon bombing suspect, is currently serving time in USP Florence, Colorado - a maximum-security facility known for housing notorious criminals like Ramzi Yousef, Zacharias Moussaoui, Ted Kaczynski, and Richard Reid.
His trial ended back in May with a death sentence due to his involvement in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, which claimed the lives of two women and an 8-year-old boy, and left over 260 individuals injured. The decision regarding his incarceration location lies with the prison authorities, who must choose between the Supermax prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the death row cell before his lengthy appeal process concludes.
A Prisoner's Perspective
Regardless of his grim circumstances, Tsarnaev has developed an unexpected affinity for fast food, with a particular fondness for Big Macs from McDonald's. The staff at USP Florence affectionately called him "us" - their collective term - each time he placed an order.
This preference may surprise some, given that U.S. federal prisons like ADX Florence limit access to outside vendors and fresh food, offering standard prison fare such as chicken, hot dogs, lasagna, and tacos, along with limited milk options in the morning and water or flavored drinks for other meals [1]. Although inmates can occasionally purchase packaged foods from the prison commissary, big-ticket items like Big Macs are off the table.
Yet, Tsarnaev's unwavering craving for his beloved comfort food serves as a reminder of our common love for comforting dishes, even in the most trying circumstances.
A Closer Look at Prison Meals
Federal prisons aim to meet nutritional standards while taking religious and cultural requirements into account, but the focus centers around proper food management rather than catering to personal preferences or ordering from external sources [1]. Prison food services can vary significantly between facilities, with some offering healthier, fresher meals, while others rely on highly processed food with restricted access to fruits and vegetables [2].
Regarding external food orders, the primary reason for restrictions stems from maintaining control over the food supply for safety and regulatory compliance. While inmates may access approved snacks and items from the prison commissary, external food orders are generally prohibited [2]. Federal prisons also manage food services either in-house or contracted to private companies, like the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, which is considering privatizing its food service [2].
In summary, inmates in U.S. federal prisons like Tsarnaev often do not have the option for external food orders, including Big Macs from McDonald's, due to food management concerns and legislative regulations.
References
- Boston Marathon Bomber's Taste for Big Macs Persists in Prison. (n.d.). Aussiedlerbote.
- How Prison Meals are Regulated in the United States. (2023, December 6).
- Inmate Food Preferences and External Food Orders in U.S. Federal Prisons: Policies and Challenges. (2023, December 6).
