No porridge on the menu at the Prison

Thursday 11 August 2016

Many people think food in Jersey is usually more expensive that in the UK, and new figures reveal that's also the case at HMP La Moye.

Information released under the Freedom of Information (FOI) law show that it costs £3.87 per day to feed each prisoner in Jersey, which compares to £2.02 per day for the year 2014/15 in the UK.

For comparison, the same FOI request shows that it costs £4.80 per day to feed a patient in the general hospital. 

But, don’t expect oysters, foie gras cream, Anjou pigeon, or smoked eel and truffles. 

For breakfast inmates can choose from a selection of cereals and toast – boiled eggs are available on a Sunday. Main meals include such standard fayre as southern fried chicken, pork casserole, breaded fish goujons, braised liver and onions and spaghetti bolognaise. Sweet’s simply listed on the menu as “Chef’s choice." Like the hospital menu, the prison menu operates on a two-week cycle.

At the hospital, a typical lunch – the main meal of the day – allows hospital patients to choose from three different juices – orange, apple or cranberry – as a starter, and four mains: for instance roast turkey and stuffing, sausages and onion gravy, country vegetable pie or tuna salad.

Commenting on the service the hospital says: “a new lunch menu was introduced during 2015. This provided choice for patients, some of whom may previously have been unable to have their first preference, and significantly reduced the level of waste. Similar arrangements for evening meals are being rolled out this year.”

The patients’ menu is also available to pensioners living in States of Jersey care homes.