The Jailhouse Diet

Cruel and unusual punishment? 300-pound inmate complains Arkansas jail doesn't feed him well.

An inmate awaiting trial on a murder charge is suing the county, complaining he has lost more than 100 pounds because of the jailhouse menu.

Broderick Lloyd Laswell says he isn't happy that he's down to 308 pounds after eight months in the Benton County jail. He has filed a federal lawsuit complaining the jail doesn't provide inmates with enough food.

According to the suit, Laswell weighed 413 pounds when he was jailed in September. Police say he and a co-defendant fatally beat and stabbed a man, then set his home on fire.

"On several occasions I have started to do some exercising and my vision went blurry and I felt like I was going to pass out," Laswell wrote in his complaint. "About an hour after each meal my stomach starts to hurt and growl. I feel hungry again."

The suit also asks that the county be ordered to serve hot meals. The jail has served only cold food for years.

It's a widespread problem. The three gentlemen pictured here each tipped the scales at more than 400 pounds when they were incarcerated.