Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Beaumont of Whitley (Green Party). It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 March 2006.

Prisons: Diet and Behaviour

Question: What steps they are taking to apply the results of modern research into diet and behaviour to prisons.

Answer: My Lords, the Government are committed to ensuring that prisoners receive a healthy diet. The recent report by the National Audit Office on prisoner diet and exercise is clear that the quality of prison catering has improved recently. Natural Justice has studied the relationship between diet and behaviour at Aylesbury young offender institution. The Prison Service has offered to host research in additional establishments, subject to appropriate ethical and quality approval, on whether the findings can be replicated more widely.

Secondary information