Written question asked by Lord Mann (Labour) on Monday, 7 June 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 June 2010. It was answered by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Monday, 14 June 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons: Food

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidelines are in place for the provision of meals in prisons to inmates with (a) kosher, (b) halal, (c) vegetarian, (d) vegan and (e) other dietary requirements.

Answer: Prisons offer a range of meals that enable prisoners to make preferred choices using a multi-choice menu system, including meals suited to their dietary, religious or cultural needs, including kosher, halal, vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements. Menu choices should reflect the establishment's population ethnicity.Full guidance, including mandatory requirements, is set out in Prison Service Order 5000—the Prison Service Catering Manual.

Secondary information