Josh Duggar, the once-notorious reality star from 19 Kids and Counting, is enduring difficult times behind bars. Serving a 151-month sentence at FCI Seagoville in Dallas, Texas, for child pornography charges, Duggar, 36, is reportedly navigating substandard living conditions that include meager meals and questionable food quality.
According to an exclusive report from The U.S. Sun, inmates at Seagoville have been subjected to half portions of food for months, leaving them dependent on the prison commissary to avoid hunger. “They’ve been getting half portions of food for months,” revealed a source connected to a Seagoville inmate. “Grits, tiny portions of corn, half rolls, a couple ounces of deli meat—they’re serving them these crazy portions. People are having to buy food from the commissary or go hungry. It’s wild.”
The prison administration, however, denies these claims. In a statement to The U.S. Sun, they said, “FCI Seagoville provides all Adults in Custody with food that is consistent with the National Food Menu to include portion size. We take all complaints about the institution and services provided very seriously and all complaints are fully investigated.”
Unchanging Conditions
This is not the first time FCI Seagoville’s food services have come under scrutiny. Reports from inmates describe expired food, including milk and cereal, being routinely served. Some even claim to have discovered bugs in their meals. One source shared, “The food they get is regularly expired. They’re just like really disgustingly expired, always by at least a couple of weeks. And it’s like milk. All sorts of stuff that can’t be expired for that long.”
The situation has prompted numerous complaints from inmates and their families, though no changes have been made. In a separate lawsuit, a prisoner alleged meals were stored next to trash and contained less than 2,000 calories per day. In one instance, maggots were reportedly found in food trays, an accusation that went unanswered by prison authorities.
Life Behind Bars
Despite these allegations, Josh Duggar was recently photographed at the facility looking relatively upbeat. In exclusive photos obtained by The U.S. Sun, he was seen sporting a mustache and beard, a stark departure from his clean-cut image on TLC. Wearing sunglasses, a brown t-shirt, and shorts, he walked the track, seemingly unbothered by the harsh realities of his surroundings.
While the facility has faced accusations of inhumane treatment, inmates did enjoy a lavish Thanksgiving dinner last year. The holiday feast included roasted turkey, glazed ham, and sweet potato casserole. But critics argue this one-off meal doesn’t erase months of subpar nutrition and treatment.
A Tarnished Legacy
Josh Duggar’s downfall has been dramatic and public. After an investigation by Homeland Security in 2019, Duggar’s world unraveled. In May 2022, he was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison following a trial that revealed his possession of child sexual abuse material. His appeals for a new trial have been repeatedly denied, most recently in 2024.
Despite his legal troubles, Duggar remains supported by his family. His wife, Anna, continues to visit him along with their seven children. Duggar’s brother and brother-in-law have also made appearances at Seagoville, showing solidarity during his incarceration.
The Road Ahead
Josh Duggar’s story is a cautionary tale of a public figure’s fall from grace. As he endures the challenges of prison life, including the struggle for adequate nutrition, the once-famous reality star faces a long path ahead. His release date of October 2, 2032, serves as a distant reminder of the life he left behind.
With ongoing scrutiny surrounding FCI Seagoville’s conditions, Duggar’s experience highlights broader issues within the federal prison system—ones that extend far beyond this disgraced reality star.
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