The Butler County Prison Board on Tuesday agreed to raise the cost of meals in the prison by 25 cents to $1.76 each for the rest of the year.

Board members unanimously voted in favor of the price increase that was requested by the contractor, Trinity Food Services.

Warden Joe DeMore said Trinity asked for the increase to cover increasing supply costs.

The county pays the meal costs for inmates and prison employees, he said.

This year is the final year of the contract with Trinity. The higher meal cost will increase the county’s total cost by $100,000 to about $917,000.

DeMore said Trinity is also asking other counties to raise prison meal prices to help cover its rising expenses.

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