Revealed: Inmates will be treated to two Christmas dinners, including a Boxing Day feast plus four different meal options to choose from, including a turkey roast and a vegan snack
The countdown to Christmas has begun and for many of us the turkey dinner on December 25 is one of the highlights, but what about those in prison?
Prisoners can still indulge on December 25 and specific dietary requirements are catered for – so vegan, vegetarian and halal offers are available in prisoner canteens across the UK.
But prison food budgets are limited and vary by area, so the quality of the festive spread can vary.
Reformed gangster Stephen Gillen, 52, spent 18 years behind bars, where he spent time with people like Charles Bronson.
Stephen said: ‘There’s a bit of a truce when it comes to the holidays.
HMP Leicester, a local category B men’s prison located on Welford Road in central Leicester, where prisoners were offered four menu options for Christmas lunch
Reformed gangster Stephen Gillen, 52, spent 18 years behind bars, spending time with the likes of Charles Bronson.
‘On the day itself you will receive a Christmas dinner. You get a little chicken or turkey, pigs in blankets and fried potatoes.
‘You will also be treated to Christmas pudding.
According to data obtained from a freedom of information request by Leicestershire liveprisoners at HMP Leicester were told the following on December 25, 2021.
The lunch menu had four choices – tThe first choice was a halal rRoast turkey and stuffing, and the second was vegan/vegetarian risen Quorn fillet in onion gravy.
The third choice was an English classic: roast beef paired with a Yorkshire pudding, while vegetarians were offered homemade potato and leek pie, served with roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots and gravy.
Dessert was fruit pudding and vanilla sauce or fresh fruit.
For dinner the first option was a halal BBQ chicken mayo pasta salad, the second was a Quiche Lorraine salad and the last was a vegan sausage roll salad.
A large festive dinner with roasted chicken and various garnishes (stock image)
And December 25 isn’t the only chance prisoners get to enjoy a festive celebration. Prisoners had to deal with it again at HMP Leicester on Boxing Day four choices for lunch: a halal turkey cordon bleu, a vegetable pie, a ham steak or a vegetable kiev, served with potato wedges and baked beans.
Dessert including mince pies or fresh fruit.
Later in the day, the prisoners had three options for dinner: a halal sausage roll, a turkey salad or a vegetable samosa.