An Ohio sheriff is defending a controversial jail meal served to inmates in solitary confinement after three Democratic lawmakers called on the state to investigate conditions at the Butler County Jail, as reported by The New York Post.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones responded publicly after Ohio Reps. Christine Cockley and Mark Sigrist, along with state Sen. William DeMora, sent a letter dated Jan. 6 urging the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to examine alleged problems at the Butler County Jail.

In their letter, the lawmakers cited what they described as “documented evidence of dangerous and deteriorating conditions,” including overcrowding, heating deficiencies, and food service issues.

A central focus of their complaint involved the jail’s so-called “warden burger,” a meal served to inmates placed in solitary confinement as an additional disciplinary measure.

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The meal consists of tomato paste, flour, dry milk, oats, beans, ground turkey, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onion, celery, and salt. The ingredients are mashed into a patty and served between slices of white bread.

Sheriff Jones posted a video response on Facebook, dismissing the lawmakers’ concerns and referring to them collectively as “the Three Stooges.” He said the criticism was exaggerated and misrepresented jail operations.

“[The warden burger] is approved by a dietician. It’s probably the most nutritious meal we serve. So you don’t like it, it’s not your mommy or your daddy fixing your meal. It’s jail. You only get that when you get in trouble,” Jones said in the video.

“Fiber’s good for you. A lot of people struggle to get fiber,” he added.

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Jones also addressed other claims raised in the letter, saying the jail would resolve any verified heating problems and disputing assertions of severe overcrowding.

An August report from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, cited by the lawmakers, found that 805 inmates were being held at the facility.

That figure was 49 inmates above the department’s recommended capacity but 39 inmates below the Butler County Correctional Complex’s stated maximum housing capacity.

The same inspection report noted that the jail was out of compliance with state “important standards” requiring inmates to receive the same meals unless a health or safety issue applies.

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The lawmakers pointed to that finding as evidence of improper treatment of inmates.

Jones dismissed the letter as politically motivated, suggesting it was tied to immigration enforcement at the jail.

“They’re probably whining and crying because I have illegals in my jail,” Jones said. “I have 400 illegals in my jail. Don’t come to this country illegally. If you do, sorry, you’re gonna come to jail.”

“They’re so hot and so angry, all they see is red. Flames. ‘They’re gonna get Sheriff Jones, he’s a dumb—s, he doesn’t know what he’s doing, ’” he added.

Cockley, Sigrist, and DeMora have asked the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to conduct an unannounced inspection of the Butler County Jail.

They are also seeking a review of why detainees held on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement are housed alongside the general inmate population.

State officials have not announced whether an unannounced inspection will take place.

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