Prisoners brew hooch from fruit handed out as part of healthy eating drive

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HMP Drake Hall, a 340-capacity women’s jail near Eccleshall, Staffs (Image: SENTINEL)
HMP Drake Hall, a 340-capacity women’s jail near Eccleshall, Staffs (Image: SENTINEL)

Prisoners have been brewing illegal hooch from fruit handed out to improve their diets.

Lags got graze boxes in a healthy food pilot and some used the contents to make booze of up to 40% ABV.

The illegal spirits were brewed at HMP Drake Hall, a 340-capacity women’s jail near Eccleshall, Staffs.

Jail hooch is commonly made by fermenting fruit – most commonly oranges – with sugar and yeast or bread in a warm place for 10-30 days.

It is poured into five-litre containers, like old disinfectant drums, to share with pals or sell.

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A report by the Independent Monitoring Board said: “Hooch finds occur at Drake Hall and can be of high alcohol content.”

Prisoners brew hooch from fruit handed out as part of healthy eating driveInmates have been brewing illicit hooch behind bars (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Noting “quantities tend to be large”, it added: “The women are given fruit as part of their healthy diet and it is difficult to monitor the leftovers and waste.”

A source added: “On the face of it, this was a good idea. But it has fallen into evil hands.”

Staff are now monitoring fruit and veg more closely and have set up a unit to seek stashes.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Hooch finds have decreased significantly at HMP Drake Hall thanks to our £100million security crackdown.”

Stian Alexander

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