Regarding silverware; yes, you get actual steal/metal eating utensils. When you walk out of the chow hall, a guard watches to see that you drop both pieces (rounded dull knike & fork) in a bucket. No drop, no leave.
That is the procedure at San Quentin, Tracy, Susanville and Chino, etc. (all Cal pens). I can't speak about other states or current Fed stuff.
If you're a validated hell-raiser and you're in a SHU program (security housing unit) things are different... much different.
xoxo
Tommy