This is what inmates at some of Scotland’s prisons will be eating at Christmas

Inmates in Scotland’s prisons will be treated to a variety of three-course lunches on Christmas - the Scotsman can reveal.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) published the menus of four of its prisons, including HMP Edinburgh, HMP Barlinnie and HMP Grampian, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request lodged by the paper.

The cost of each meal is thought to be around £2.47 per prisoner, and £2.75 per young offender, according to the SPS, who said the figures were covered by each prison’s annual food budget.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

HMP Edinburgh

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) published the menus of four of its prisons, including HMP Edinburgh, HMP Barlinnie and HMP Grampian, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request lodged by the paper.The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) published the menus of four of its prisons, including HMP Edinburgh, HMP Barlinnie and HMP Grampian, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request lodged by the paper.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) published the menus of four of its prisons, including HMP Edinburgh, HMP Barlinnie and HMP Grampian, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request lodged by the paper.

For a starter, inmates at Saughton Prison will receive a bowl of homemade cream of tomato soup and a crusty roll, and choose between chicken breast or spiced cauliflower for their main.

According to the menu, the chicken breast will be served with a mushroom sauce and “kilted sausage”, while the cauliflower will be served in puff pastry with a chickpea and spinach dahl.

Both main course options will come with creamed and roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts & carrots.

For dessert, each inmate will be given an individual Scotch trifle.

HMP Barlinnie

Prisoners at HMP Barlinnie, in Glasgow, will be given a feast of traditional roast turkey, with two pigs-in-blankets, sweet cranberry gravy, and roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and julienne carrots.

The vegetarian option on offer is a nut roast slice, with roast or mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and julienne carrots,

For dessert, each inmate will be given a Christmas pudding with a creamy rum sauce.

HMP Castle Huntly

Inmates at HMP Castle Huntly will enjoy a similar Christmas dinner to those at HMP Edinburgh - with a chicken breast in creamy mushroom sauce on the menu, although beef and onion pie is also an option.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Vegetarians, however, will be given a creamy vegetable pie, and sides will include Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots and gravy.

For dessert, inmates can expect a Christmas pudding and a fresh fruit option.

HMP Grampian

Further North, in HMP and YOI Grampian, inmates will receive a choice of roast turkey and trimmings or a slice of vegetable Wellington with boiled or roast potatoes.

Sprouts, carrots and gravy are also promised.

To finish, prisoners will enjoy a chocolate fudge cake or cream and fruit.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.