§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the diet of prisoners. [20959]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 10 December 2001]: Public sector prisons provide three meals a day for prisoners. Catering departments prepare multi-choice menus, which meet the needs of the establishment's population and enable pre-selection to take place. All prisons must comply with all food safety legislation and must have regard to particular dietary and religious needs. The Prison Service Catering Manual, which is published as a Prison Service Order, provides full guidance for catering staff on hygiene and food safety, nutritional requirements, diets for special groups, food quality and quality control, and customer surveys. Its requirements apply to both Prison Service and contractually managed establishments.