Jail’s ‘Warden Burger’ Wins PETA Prize: An Offer to Provide Inmates With Vegan Grub

For Immediate Release:
January 16, 2026

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Since Butler County Jail is under scrutiny for serving inmates who act up a plant food, the “warden burger,” three times a day for days on end, PETA sent a letter today to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones offering to help the jail by providing delicious and hearty vegan meals, like vegan chunk steaks, fried “chick’n,” and tofu cream pie, to incentivize inmates to be on their best behavior.

PETA points out that the warden burger is animal- and cholesterol-free, so the only negative part is the day-after-day repetition. PETA proposes offering a celebratory vegan meal to qualifying inmates. PETA has served vegan meals in jails across North America, including with the help of Pamela Anderson, and several correctional facilities have reported that vegan meals can be a successful part of a violence-reduction program.

“The warden burger is a worthy burger that spares animals from violence and supports inmate health, but nothing tastes good twenty-one times in a row,” says PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA is ready to help the Butler County Jail use tasty vegan meals as the delicious reward they should be.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness and free Vegan Starter Kits for anyone thinking of making the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Jones follows.

January 16, 2026

Sheriff Richard Jones

Butler County Jail

Dear Sheriff Jones:

I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have 10.4 million members and supporters worldwide. First, we’d like to thank you for making your “warden burger” vegan, which means that no animals suffered violence in the making, and while some inmates may not appreciate its benefits, your namesake burger offers a cholesterol-free, fiber-rich meal that supports their health, and may even improve their mood.

Criticism of the “warden burger” appears to be about having to eat it at every meal, up to 21 times in a row, not of the recipe. Any food would lose its appeal because of that! So, we would like to suggest that we collaborate with you to create a program that would incentivize inmates to exercise exemplary conduct by rewarding them with a delicious vegan feast, courtesy of PETA. The menu would consist of the latest, tastiest, hearty, animal-friendly entrée, such as vegan steak or vegan fried chicken, with sides, and a delicious vegan dessert.

Some years back, PETA’s honorary director, Pamela Anderson, served vegan meals at an Arizona correctional facility, and it was a huge hit. Other facilities, such as the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama, have found that providing vegan meals is a successful part of a violence-reduction program. And beans, rice, lentils, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits contain all the essential nutrients, including ample protein and calcium that a person needs, but at a fraction of the cost of meats and cheeses.

PETA would be delighted to help justice be served—vegan style. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Amber Canavan

Associate Director of Vegan Campaigns