Roast chicken and veges are on the menu again for prisoners this year. Photo / Corrections
Roast chicken and veges are on the menu again for prisoners this year. Photo / Corrections
They might be serving time but there will be some festive treats for the almost 10,000 offenders locked up in New Zealand’s prisons tomorrow.
The menu at the three women’s prisons and 15 men’s prisons has not changed for a few years but will still arguably be the most anticipated meal of the month.
And it’s not just a festive feed - it’s a chance for inmates to learn practical culinary skills by preparing and cooking food for themselves and others.
The Corrections Christmas Day meal for prisoners in 2014. Not much has changed since then. Photo / Supplied
“This year’s Christmas menu will provide basic and nutritious meals for all prisoners,” said Corrections custodial services Commissioner Leigh Marsh.
“For lunch, we’ll be serving roast chicken with gravy and a side of peas, carrots, and potatoes.
“The evening meal will be roast beef and salad sandwiches, and egg and mayo sandwiches, with two traditional fruit mince tarts to mark the occasion.
“This is the same meal that has been served for a number of years.”
Marsh said every meal would be prepared by prisoners taking part in industry training and employment in prison kitchens - under the supervision of qualified instructors.
“This hands-on experience provides valuable skills, helping to prepare prisoners for employment and safe, successful reintegration upon their release,” he said.
The Christmas meals costs Corrections $5.60 per prisoner – the same menu cost as any other day.
A vegetarian option is also available.
Inmates will cook and serve their own Christmas meal - supervised by Corrections staff. Photo / Greg Bowker
Corrections says while the food meets basic nutritional requirements, it is not “lavish”.
Marsh said while Christmas Day in prison is similar to any other day in terms of routine - Corrections made sure to introduce “extra activities wherever possible”.
Typically, prisoners spend the day “engaged in recreational activities such as sports” - though participation depends on a prisoner’s security classification and behaviour.
Inmates can attend church services within the prison on Christmas Day.
All services are multi-denominational and are led by the prison chaplain.
“We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for both prisoners and their families,” Marsh explained.
“That’s why we also run special family days in December at sites around the country, giving children a chance to visit their parents in prison to engage in crafts, games, and other activities that help make the season special.”
According to Corrections rules, inmates are allowed to spend up to $70 a week on items from “a local shop that sells Christmas cards or gifts”.
Tongariro Prison staff and inmates crafted these wooden pallets into Christmas tree forms.
They can also receive approved gifts from friends and family. All items are subject to normal security processes to prevent contraband entering the prison.
Marsh said Corrections also ensured inmates had the opportunity to “give back to the community” in the lead-up to Christmas.
“Because we know this provides a sense of purpose and pride,” he said.
“It can be an important step towards making positive changes in their lives.”
Prisoners working in the nurseries at Northland Region Corrections Facility and Auckland Prison have donated hundreds of kilograms of fresh produce to local food banks.
Donated cushions handmade by prisoners at Auckland Region Women’s Correction Facility. Photo / Supplied
At Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, women in prison have sewn 40 colourful cushions for a charity that helps furnish homes for families escaping domestic violence.
And at Otago Corrections Facility, men participating in the carpentry industry training programme have crafted around 60 wooden toys, including airplanes, cars, trucks, boats, and animals.
“These toys will be delivered by Santa to children in hospital at Christmas time,” said Marsh.
“Corrections staff all around the country have also been busy helping the community this Christmas, through collecting and donating food and toys for local charities.”
Marsh wanted to acknowledge the “incredible efforts” of Corrections' staff working through the holiday period.
“Corrections operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and our frontline staff continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe,” he said.
Some of the toys made by prisoners participating in the carpentry industry training programme at Otago Corrections Facility. Photo / Supplied
Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz
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