Meat Processing
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Meat Processing
USDA Inspected
At our Meat Plant, Federal inspection of the processing and production of our meat products is conducted on a daily basis.
Meat Processing started at the prison in 1962 when cows and hogs were raised at the prison farm to supply meat and milk for the prisoners. In the 1980s UCI took over the operation and found it to be more profitable to purchase slaughtered beef and turkey and then butcher and process the
meat to suit the prisons’ needs. This meat processing is regulated very closely and is inspected on a daily basis by Federal inspectors.
Currently beef patties, ground meat mixes, breakfast links, sliced salami and beef jerky are produced at UCI. Outside of the prison there is a small percent of the production that is sold to other State agencies.
Inmates working in the UCI Meat Plant have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills. They learn how to portion cut meat, grind, slice and dice meats, what meat cuts are used for, how to make and cook salami and bologna and the proper formulation of spiced meats. Inmates learn how a business runs, proper procedures for ordering, inventorying, receiving, processing and
shipping meat products. Inmates also learn proper food handling techniques to include temperature controls and safe food processing requirements. Inmates are also trained and receive Food Handling Permits while working at the Meat Plant.
State Contract PA 238