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In September 1946, a seemingly ordinary dinner served to inmates featured dishes one wouldn’t typically attribute to a prison: split pea soup, roast shoulder of pork, sage dressing, and apple pie, accompanied by bread and coffee with milk. This feast was not just for the inmates; guards shared the same meals, suggesting a level of culinary quality that contradicted the prison's grim reputation.

While there are no specific recipes directly from Alcatraz's kitchens, the Alcatraz Women’s Club—a group composed of the wives and families of guards—produced a cookbook in 1952 showcasing various dishes served at the prison. Using these recipes, a recreation of a meal fit for an inmate is possible. Notable dishes include stuffed pork chops, cucumber salad, and a quick apple pie.