Who is responsible for approving special meals for detainees?

The correct choice identifies the chaplain and the Food Service Administrator (FSA) as the individuals responsible for approving special meals for detainees. This responsibility typically arises from the necessity to accommodate diverse dietary needs, which may stem from religious practices, health conditions, or personal preferences.

The chaplain plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing the religious dietary restrictions of detainees, ensuring that their spiritual needs are respected and met within the confines of the detention center. Meanwhile, the Food Service Administrator is tasked with overseeing food services, including menu planning and the nutritional aspects of the meals provided to detainees. Together, they ensure that the special meals offered align with both the dietary restrictions and the overall nutritional goals of the facility.

The other options involve roles that do not focus specifically on meal approval and dietary needs. For example, a medical officer and security staff primarily address health and safety concerns rather than catering to dietary preferences. The detention center director and nutritional specialist could be involved in broader dietary planning, but their roles do not typically extend to the direct approval of meals for individual detainees. Finally, social workers and lawyers concentrate on the legal and social welfare aspects of detainee care, which do not encompass food services or special meal approvals.