What Christmas looks like for notorious lags at 'Monster Mansion' HMP Wakefield

23 December 2023 , 20:33

540     0

HMP Wakefield is home to some of the UK most dangerous criminals - but they'll still be getting a slap up Christmas lunch (Image: PA)

There may be some of Britain's most dangerous prisoners securely housed inside 'Monster Mansion' HMP Wakefield, but that doesn't mean they won't be tucking into a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings before they really push the boat out on Boxing Day.

The jail, which got its nickname due to the large number of high-profile, high-risk sex offenders and murderers held there, won't be without a sprinkling of festive joy over the coming days. While December 25 isn't unlike any other behind the bars, lags do look forward to what's served up.

There's no exchanging of presents and Christmas trees to enjoy, but the food is pretty tasty and despite their heinous crimes, the Category A inmates in west Yorkshire will get to pick from a range on a menu that includes vegan, halal, and diabetic alternatives to the classic festive dinner.

Staff serve up a menu which includes vegan, halal, and diabetic alternatives to the classic festive dinner (PA)

An FOI request has revealed that the inmates at the prison will be offered all sorts of options, and it's quite a spread. It's starts which breakfast which includes cereal and milk, as well as fruit juice. The main event, Christmas dinner, will see inmates choose from a cajun sweet potato roulade, vegan schnitzel, halal turkey with brie and sweet potato pie, or roast turkey, with a stuffing ball and sausage wrapped in bacon, all served with roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots and gravy.

For pudding, there is a vegan Christmas pudding and white sauce, or a banana. For tea, inmates can choose from 1 of the following fillings to accompany a pack. They can choose a vegan vegetable slice and vegan strips and roll. They can also choose a cheese bap and sausage roll, or a boiled egg salad with a bap.

Dr Michael Mosley shares exercise that can cut cholesterol and blood pressure

The packs include an ordinary/halal/veg pack, which contains: Christmas cake, Christmas tree shortbread, a mince pie, a bag of crisps, coffee, juice, and a satsuma. There is also a diabetic pack, with Rich Tea biscuits, a packet of crisps, yoghurt, juice, coffee drink, and a satsuma. Or, there is a vegan pack option with Christmas tree shortbread, a packet of crisps, juice, coffee drink, vegan plum tart, and a satsuma.

It doesn't stop there. On Boxing Day, there will be a lunchtime selection of vegan pasty, spicy bean burger, smoked haddock, mozzarella and spring onion fishcake or Chinese chicken curry, with side options of chips and baked beans. Dessert will be a choice of strawberry mousse or fruit. Boxing Day tea will be given out in pack-up kits including a pastry (pork pie, vegan sausage roll pr potato, spinach and cheese slice) and a bap with a selection of fillings, including vegan cheese or boiled egg.

Pack-ups also include an iced Belgium marble brownie, mince pie, juice, coffee, a bag of crisps, fruit and an oaty bar. When asked about the cost of providing the festive feast, a spokesperson said: "The MoJ does not hold the cost per head of providing these menus. This is because meals in prisons over all religious holidays, including Christmas, are paid for within existing budgets and are at no extra cost to the taxpayer, therefore we are unable to provide a cost per head of providing these menus."

The variety of food available to prisoners during the holiday season has often been met with outrage from the public, with readers keen to express their shock at the standard on offer. Many feel the prisoners should not be entitled to a full Christmas dinner - let alone have so much choice.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs