§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of Her Majesty's prisons in the United Kingdom supply diets in accordance with religious belief on a regular basis; and what preparations are being made by prisons to supply such diets, on request, on a regular basis;
(2) if he will issue instructions to the governors of Her Majesty's prisons to make necessary arrangements to enable prisoners who wish on religious grounds to eat particular diets, to be able to receive such diets on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what representations he has received over the past year, including from those detained in prison, about difficulties in obtaining halal and kosher food on a regular basis.
§ Mr. MellorOther than the annual census of religious registration in prisons each February, details are not recorded centrally of inmates who belong to religious faiths or of their location. In total about 144,000 meals are served daily to inmates in prison service establishments in England and Wales, of which about 6,500 (5 per cent.) are estimated to be variations from the normal dietary on account of religious belief.
All meals are prepared according to centrally determined dietary scales designed to meet published nutritional standards. Each establishment prepared special meals and also varies its standard menus to take into account recognised food preferences.
The number of meals served each day to certain minority faiths is estimated as follows:
- 4,700 for Muslims
- 1,000 for Jews
- 400 for Sikhs
- 300 for Hindus
- 160 for Buddhists
Halal meat may be purchased locally on an occasional basis in recognition of those Muslims who do not wish to eat non-halal meat. Substitutes for bacon and pork are provided and vegetarian margarine is issued. Alternatively, Muslims may apply either for a vegetarian diet or a vegan diet which excludes all animal and dairy products.
31WA kosher diet is not provided in prison service establishments in England and Wales. The arrangements are that substitutes for bacon and pork are issued in their place and kosher margarine is issued in lieu of the ordinary margarine. Orthodox Jews may apply for a vegan diet if this is considered preferable.
The Home Office is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Muslim and Jewish authorities as part of the continuous review of the facilities which are offered to prisoners belonging to these faiths.