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Christmas at the Clink: what inmates behind bars can expect
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Christmas at the Clink: what inmates behind bars can expect

Not as good as on the outside, but the prisoners will know that today is a little different from the other 364 they are behind bars.

The doors will close like every other day, but the menu will have a Christmas feel when it comes to the food.

Anyone arriving in Wolverhampton by train from Staffordshire will see the huge prison complex where thousands of prisoners languish in Oakwood, Brinsford and Featherstone prisons.

In Staffordshire, which has one of the highest numbers of prisoners of any county in the country due to a multitude of prisons including HMP Dovegate, Stafford and even the Young Offenders Institute Swinfen, inmates could wake up with a “festive breakfast basket” instead of porridge.

Each prison will offer turkey and Christmas pudding, but those who want alternatives can opt for beef and suet, smoked haddock and mozzarella patties with homemade tartar sauce and vegetable Wellington.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/featherstone-prison

Prison officer crossing prison wing
On Santa’s Naughty List: Prisoners Stay Behind Bars on Christmas Day

Prisoners at HMP Featherstone will be treated to a traditional Christmas dinner, if they wish.

Festive vegan slice

Roasted chicken leg

Roast turkey

Roasted potatoes, pigs in blankets (NH), seasonal vegetables, stuffing, sauce

Christmas pudding and custard

HAS HMP BrinsfordCrimbo lunch choice was:

Half Roast Chicken, Halal and Non Halal available

Pot roasts for country mushroom tart Fresh mixed vegetables

Christmas pudding

Mince pie and custard

HMP Stafford is one of the oldest prisons in the United Kingdom, first opened in 1793. Today the prison is a Category C prison which, since 2014, has been reserved for sex offenders.

HMP Stafford
HMP Stafford

A previous party menu revealed for Stafford prisoners left them spoiled for choice.

Homemade Nut Roast, Grilled Tomatoes and Roasted Potatoes Suitable for Vegetarians or Halal

Halal-Friendly Fish with Lemon and Shrimp Vinaigrette

Roast turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, sausage and bacon roll and roasted potatoes

Roast pork, applesauce, stuffing and roasted potatoes

Chicken, Spinach and Rice Curry and Rice Suitable for Halal

Stuffed butternut squash suitable for vegan, vegetarian and halal dishes

Grilled Noodles and Sweet Chilli Sauce Suitable for Vegan, Vegetarian and Halal Served with Creamed Potatoes, Sprouts and Sauce

Christmas dessert and custard or fresh pineapple

The Ministry of Justice clearly emphasizes that the party food costs the taxpayer nothing extra and “meets the nutritional, religious and cultural needs of prisoners.”

However, while the food on offer may fascinate food lovers, the atmosphere in prison on Christmas Day can be more volatile than usual as emotions can run high. Or low, with prisoners suffering from mental health problems, including depression, being particularly vulnerable.

A former inmate who was incarcerated last Christmas at HMP Oakwood told the Express & Star: “Christmas Day is one of the best and worst days in prison. » For those of us with children, it’s all about getting our hands on a phone to someone.

HMP Oak

“Mobiles are illegal but every wing has a few and if you have one it could be one of the most profitable days of the year.”

He added: “Let’s say on a normal day you can charge someone a few euros, or exchange a bit of baccy or mamba to use the phone on Christmas Day, it will be triple that, or more. »

He added: “Especially if you can use Facetime. Prisoners are no different to anyone else, they want to see their loved ones on Christmas Day.”

Prison is the last place anyone would want to be on Christmas Day, but unlike most other dinner tables across the country, a holiday staple won’t be pushed aside, avoided or ridiculed.

The now-free former prisoner said: “In prison, if there are sprouts, no one is going to complain or make fun of any type of fresh vegetable. Even if the cook boils the life out of them.

“But all I know is that this year I will be able to eat my Christmas dinner and look forward to a cigarette afterwards, knowing that I won’t have to look over my shoulder to smoke it.

“Being free will be the best gift of all.”