What Do Prisoners Eat in the UK?

Ever wondered what prisoners eat behind bars in the UK? While prison food may not be gourmet, it’s designed to be nutritious, budget-friendly, and capable of meeting basic dietary needs. This article explores the typical meals served in prisons across the UK, how food is prepared, dietary options, and what life is like at mealtimes.

Types of Meals Served in UK Prisons

UK prisons serve three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and an evening meal. Meals are usually simple but structured to ensure inmates receive adequate energy and nutrition.

Breakfast: Typically includes cereals, toast, porridge, and tea.
Lunch: Often a cold meal such as sandwiches, fruit, or salad.
Dinner: A hot main course like stew, curry, pasta or pie, with vegetables and dessert.

Meal Preparation and Budget

Meals are prepared in the prison kitchen, often with the help of inmates working under supervision. The average daily food budget per prisoner is around £2–£3, which means meals must be cost-effective.

Despite budget constraints, prisons are required to offer meals that meet basic nutritional standards and provide around 2,500 calories per day.

Special Diets and Religious Requirements

Prisons cater for a range of dietary needs, including:

Vegetarian and vegan meals
Halal or Kosher options for religious observance
Gluten-free or allergy-sensitive meals if medically required

Prisoners must inform staff of dietary requirements upon arrival, and meals are logged and checked by kitchen supervisors.

Typical Weekly Menu Example

A sample weekly prison menu might include:

Monday: Chicken curry, rice, mixed vegetables
Tuesday: Sausages, mash, peas and gravy
Wednesday: Vegetable stir fry with noodles
Thursday: Fish and chips with mushy peas
Friday: Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread
Saturday: Corned beef hash, beans and bread roll
Sunday: Roast chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and gravy

Snacks and Canteen Purchases

Inmates can supplement their meals through the prison canteen using money from their prison account. Available items may include:

Biscuits, crisps, and chocolate
Instant noodles and soups
Fruit juice, tea and coffee
Healthier options like dried fruit, protein bars or nuts

Spending limits apply, and canteen orders are usually placed weekly via a form.

Are Prisoners Allowed to Cook?

Some prisons provide cooking facilities for inmates, especially in open or lower-security establishments. Here, prisoners may prepare their own meals using ingredients bought from the canteen or provided for cooking programmes.

Nutrition and Health Monitoring

Prisons work with dietitians to ensure meals meet basic nutrition standards. Meal satisfaction surveys are sometimes carried out, and adjustments may be made based on prisoner feedback or nutritional concerns.

Conclusion

While prison meals in the UK are basic and budget-driven, they aim to provide enough calories and nutrition for a healthy life. With options for special diets and canteen purchases for extras, inmates have some degree of choice over what they eat. Behind the bars, a lot of thought goes into managing mealtimes in a fair, cost-effective, and hygienic way.