Pamela Anderson serves lunch to inmates

Pamela Anderson went to jail, but not to serve time but to serve lunch. PETA’s honorary director joined Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in helping inmates prepare and serve lunch in the country’s first all-vegetarian jail. Anderson and PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews cited Phoenix as a model as they urge jail and prison administrators across the country to drop meat in exchange for healthy, cost-effective meals that save money and teach inmates empathy.

On Wednesday Pamela Anderson was in the Maricopa County Jail at 3150 W. Lower Buckeye Rd., Phoenix.

“I believe people can be rehabilitated from the inside out,” says Anderson, a long-time vegan. “Jails are full of people wanting to change, and learning healthier daily habits and embracing compassion are a great way to do that.”

Eliminating meat from jails will save Maricopa County taxpayers over $200,000 each year, vastly reducing refrigeration costs, and results in healthier meals that don’t spoil as quickly as those made from animal products. Last week, the federal panel charged with making official dietary suggestions recommended a vegan diet for the first time. Sheriff Arpaio, whose jail holds 8,300 inmates, says, “When other jails and prisons see how dropping meat boosts the health of inmates while saving taxpayers money, I think they’ll consider adopting the policy.”

PETA has helped “veganize” menus at universities, corporations, and sports arenas and, using Maricopa County as a model, will formally approach other jails and prisons across the country.