The Alabama Department of Corrections, ADOC, announced Monday it has contracted with Aramark Correctional Services to provide comprehensive food services and innovative programming across its 27 facilities statewide. The transition to Aramark services will begin in December and should be completed by March of 2026. The scope of services includes food purchasing, inventory management, kitchen equipment maintenance and purchases, food preparation, staff management, inmate training and development, inmate staff and two special programs. One program allows the families of inmates to order a special meal that can be shared during visitation and the other allows for a kiosk for staff food services.
Aramark’s award-winning IN2WORK program is designed to reduce recidivism by equipping incarcerated individuals with culinary, retail and supply chain skills. The Alabama initiative includes 28 internships and 28 scholarships, supported by Aramark’s Workforce Navigator, which connects graduates to employment opportunities nationwide. By investing in education and workforce readiness, Aramark said it helps clients strengthen communities while addressing critical labor needs.
Aramark also said it brings to Alabama its proven ability to rapidly mobilize and scale operations, with successful transitions in states including Arizona, South Carolina, Ohio, Florida, and Missouri. Improvements will include equipment upgrades, MicroMarkets (staff food services), and expanded retail options for the incarcerated population. These enhancements are said to reflect Aramark’s commitment to improving quality of life for both staff and residents while driving operational efficiency.
Aramark will deploy proprietary platforms such as PRIMA Web—augmented by Aramark’s AI-based Culinary Co -Pilot—for menu planning and inventory; ENABLE+ for food safety, preparation and production analytics; and Meal Verification Program for predictive insights. The company said these technologies ensure compliance, transparency, and cost control and are part of an integrated technology ecosystem known as Hospitality IQ that drives operational efficiency and value for clients.
Aramark Correctional Services is currently operating in 15 different state departments of corrections. “Their experience and expertise are unmatched in this industry. They will bring many benefits to the ADOC, from successful staff recruiting to efficiencies in inventory controls,” ADOC stated.
