01 April 2023 , 19:08
619
0
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.
Abandoned prison which caged dangerous cartel killers found by urban explorer
A report by the Independent Monitoring Board said: “Hooch finds occur at Drake Hall and can be of high alcohol content.”
Inmates 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.”