The main breakfast course for inmates in Maricopa County jails on the weekends is a measly serving of bread, peanut butter, jelly, cookies, a piece of fruit, along with a small carton of milk.

As of Wednesday, 23 of the roughly 8,000 inmates being held at Maricopa County jails have opted out of their meals as part of a hunger strike, he said.

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone says 23 jail inmates have gone on a hunger strike in an attempt to get better quality food.

An inmate looks over a muffin Thursday from his dinner during chow time at Maricopa County’s Durango Jail in Phoenix.

Participating inmates intend to fast for at least three days in hopes that the sheriff's office will hear their plea for better, more consistent food.