As the holiday season approaches, even the most unlikely places in the UK are gearing up for the festive celebrations. Yes, that’s right – even in the country’s prisons, Christmas spirit is alive and well. In fact, inmates are in for a treat with not just one, but two full Christmas dinners, along with a special dessert to round off the day’s festivities.
The traditional roast turkey takes center stage at these holiday meals, accompanied by all the classic trimmings such as pigs in blankets and roast potatoes. And for those with dietary restrictions, fear not – there are vegetarian, vegan, and halal options available to ensure that everyone can partake in the merriment.
But it’s not just Christmas Day that gets the special treatment. Meals fit for a festive celebration are also served up on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, symbolizing a sort of “truce” between inmates and staff during this season of joy.
While staff members at certain public sector jails might not get a special Christmas dinner, inmates at places like the category B HMP Cardiff and other institutions have been known to enjoy a lavish spread in the past. Roast turkey, halal turkey, vegan schnitzel, beef, or gammon are just some of the items on the menu, accompanied by classic Christmas sides such as roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and Yorkshire puddings. And of course, no Christmas meal would be complete without a decadent dessert, with options like Christmas pudding with custard or fresh fruit.
Even reformed gangster Stephen Gillen, who spent 18 years in prison, fondly recalls the Christmas delicacies he enjoyed during his time behind bars. He remembers savoring a Christmas dinner with chicken or turkey as the main course, along with all the classic trimmings and, of course, Christmas pudding.
In December 2021, details emerged about the amount of money allocated for these festive meals. Reports indicated that local jails in Leicestershire spend just £2.17 per day on each prisoner’s meals, a figure that the Ministry of Justice clarified as being part of the existing prison budget.
As for the meal options available to inmates at HMP Leicester and HMP Gartree, the menus boast a variety of choices to cater to all dietary needs. From roast turkey to braised Quorn fillet to homemade potato and leek pie to cranberry and mushroom nut loaf, no prisoner is left out of the holiday feast.
With the UK’s prison population currently at approximately 95,526 and expected to rise to up to 106,000 by 2027, it’s clear that prisons are still very much in use, despite a decline in population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In essence, while the UK’s toughest prisons may not be the first place that comes to mind for holiday cheer, it’s heartening to know that efforts are made to ensure that even inmates get a taste of Christmas joy during the most wonderful time of the year. So, as you enjoy your own Christmas feast, take a moment to consider that even behind bars, the spirit of the season burns bright.
