For decades, inmates in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) had access to microwaves—standard heavy-duty units similar to those found in convenience stores. Then, following a violent incident in a Florida state prison where an inmate used a microwaved bowl of Vaseline as a weapon, the BOP reacted by phasing out microwaves nationwide. While this may seem like a common-sense safety measure, it highlights a recurring problem in BOP policy: reactionary decision-making with little foresight.
A Lack of Practical Understanding
One of the major issues at the national level is that many decision-makers in the BOP have never set foot in a federal prison. There is a widespread belief that simply creating policies, laws, or rules is enough to fix a problem. However, prisons house individuals who, by definition, do not always follow rules. Furthermore, after years of restrictions and losses, many inmates feel they have nothing left to lose. The microwave ban is just one more example of a policy that failed to consider broader consequences.
The Real Issue: Health Risks
With microwaves removed, the BOP installed hot water dispensers to allow inmates to prepare coffee and instant meals. While this provides some access to heated food, these machines require continuous maintenance, consume excessive electricity, and are often out of service, with only two dispensers per 120 inmates to begin with.
More concerning is the fact that inmates now heat their food in plastic and foil packaging not rated for high temperatures, instead of microwave safe plastic bowls. Over time, this leads to prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals linked to serious health conditions. These health problems ultimately become the responsibility of taxpayers, who fund the inmates' medical treatments.
Microwaves vs. Hot Water Heating: A Health Perspective
One of the overlooked benefits of microwaves in prison settings was their role in food safety. Microwaves heat food to temperatures that effectively kill bacteria, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. In contrast, hot water dispensers, even at their highest temperatures, do not reach the levels necessary to eliminate harmful pathogens. Inmates relying on these dispensers may consume underheated food, increasing their risk of bacterial infections, gastrointestinal issues, and other health complications.
The Dangers of Heating Non-Heat-Rated Food Packaging
When food packaging materials not designed for heat exposure are warmed, they release harmful chemicals. Common offenders include:
- Plastic Containers (#3, #6, #7): Release hormone disruptors like phthalates, styrene, and BPA.
- Plastic Wrap: Can leach DEHA, which has been linked to hormone disruption.
- Styrofoam: Emits styrene, a potential carcinogen.
- Canned Food Linings: Often contain BPA-based epoxy, which can leach into food.
- Coated Cardboard: Contains PFAS, associated with cancer and hormonal imbalances.
- Metallic Foil Linings: Can introduce aluminum into food, which has been linked to neurotoxicity.
Health Risks of Chemical Exposure
These chemicals have well-documented health risks, including:
- BPA & BPS: Hormonal imbalances, infertility, increased cancer risk.
- Phthalates: Endocrine disruption, birth defects, respiratory issues.
- Styrene: Nervous system damage, liver and kidney toxicity.
- PFAS: Cancer, immune suppression, thyroid disorders.
- DEHA: Liver tumors, reproductive toxicity.
- Aluminum: Neurotoxicity, kidney damage, bone disorders.
Unintended Consequences and Added Costs
Instead of prosecuting violent offenders who misuse microwaves, the BOP has created an expensive health crisis. However, the financial burden extends beyond medical costs.
Inmates, unwilling to eat cold food, have turned to makeshift heating methods. They dismantle electrical devices to extract wires, creating primitive immersion heaters. This practice leads to the destruction of valuable equipment, including security and medical devices, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Inmates have even suffered fatal electrocutions attempting to heat water using direct 110-volt AC current from wall outlets.
More dangerously, inmates create makeshift deep fryers by placing heating elements in plastic trash cans filled with stolen or commissary-purchased cooking oil. The trash cans, not designed for extreme temperatures, release additional harmful chemicals into food. Instead of addressing the root cause, the BOP’s response was to remove trash cans from facilities.
From Trash Cans to Plumbing Disasters
Without trash cans, inmates resort to flushing all their waste down industrial toilets. This includes clothing, wrappers, and other non-biodegradable materials, leading to frequent plumbing failures in aging prison infrastructure. Every year, prisons spend significant funds addressing preventable plumbing issues—all stemming from the initial decision to remove microwaves.
The True Cost of a Reactionary Policy
What started as a response to a single state-level incident has snowballed into an expensive and counterproductive policy. The BOP has inadvertently increased medical expenses, repair costs, and maintenance efforts while degrading inmate morale and increasing health risks.
For decades, microwaves were a practical and relatively safe solution in federal prisons. Not only did they provide inmates with a reliable method of heating food, but they also helped reduce foodborne illnesses by eliminating harmful bacteria. Rather than removing them altogether, a more effective approach would have been to enforce discipline against individuals who misuse them. Instead, the BOP has replaced a manageable problem with a host of costly, long-term consequences—all at the expense of both taxpayers and inmate well-being.