Prisons, Borstals and Detention Centres (Diet Changes)

HC Deb 07 May 1959 vol 605 cc68-9W

Mr. Kimball

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have recently been made in the diet of prisoners and borstal inmates.

Mr. R. A. Butler

In accordance with recommendations by the Honorary Catering Adviser to the Home Office and the Prison Commissioners' Catering Adviser and Director of Medical Services, certain changes have been introduced in the diet in prisons, borstals, and detention centres.

The main changes are: MORE Fresh meat increased from 1s. to 1s. 10d. weekly. Margarine increased from 8¾ ozs. to 12¼ ozs. weekly for men in training and regional prisons and from 8¾ ozs. to 15¾ ozs. weekly for all borstals, young prisoners and detention centres. Fresh fruit increased from 2d. to 4d. weekly. Sugar increased from 14 ozs. to 16 ozs. weekly for all prisons. Potatoes increased from 14 ozs. to 16 ozs. weekly for all prisons. LESS Bread reduced from 1½ lbs. to 1½ lbs. daily in girls' borstals, and from 1 lbs. to 1 lb. 10 ozs. daily for boys' borstals, young prisoners and detention centres, and from 1 lb. 2 ozs. to 1 lb. daily for central prisons for men. Cocoareduced from 2⅝ ozs. to 1⅝ ozs. weekly for all prisons. Sausage meat decreased from 8 ozs. to 6 ozs. weekly.