NBC NEWS- Is prison food cruel and unusual punishment?

Vermont's Supreme Court will soon decide.

The court heard an appeal Monday in a case about a special bread the Vermont Department of Corrections feeds inmates in specific situations.

Nutraloaf is given to inmates who misuse their utensils or trays, and hurl bodily waste at staff.

Vermont's Corrections Commissioner says Nutraloaf is not intended to be a punishment.

An attorney for the Corrections Department said in court, that it is meant to stop very specific behaviors.

But an attorney for three inmates who filed the original case, said that Nutraloaf is meant to be a punishment, and inmates are given it without due process.

He said the bread is purposely formulated to be unappetizing.