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There was a period when inmates in British prisons were only entitled to receive a serving of thick, runny porridge.
Actually, due to how often it was served, ‘doing porridge’ turned into the colloquial phrase for serving time in prison.
However, a look at the options available to modern-day prisoners in Scotland’s jails shows that rather than being limited to porridge, they can now buy any one of 22 different cereal options from prison shops.
The breakfast options include over 500 separate items that authorities claim they can provide to inmates ‘for a fee.’
The stores offer a selection of 82 varieties of candies, along with 32 choices of biscuits, 32 protein bars and shakes, seven types of supplements, 56 personal care items such as haircare products and deodorants, eight different kinds of rice, 28 distinct noodle options, and a mix of nuts and popcorn.
Prisoners have several cereal options they can choose from, including Alpen Original, Honey Monster Puffs, and Weetabix, along with Go Local cornflakes, cookie and cream hoops, chocolate puffs, and honey loops.
Two versions of the Country Crisp cereal from Jordans are available: Chunky Nut and Strawberry.
Kellogg’s products are also offered, featuring different packaging options for Coco Pops, Crunchy Nut, Frosties, Fruit ‘N Fibre, and Rice Krispies. From Nestlé, you can choose items like Cookie Crisp, Cheerios, and Honey Cheerios off the menu.
Nevertheless, traditional porridge choices remain available from brands like Scott’s and Hamlyn.
‘Doing porridge’ was depicted in the immensely popular BBC sitcom “Porridge,” which showcased the fictional HMP Slade.
The show featured Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale portraying prisoners Norman Stanley Fletcher and Lennie Godber, along with Scottish actor Fulton MacKay, who took on the role of prison guard Mr Mackay.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) mentioned that they obtain goods from a retail provider and utilize the nationwide retail price list to set the cost charged to prisoners for every item.
It implements a system where prisoners earn wages based on their participation in different types of productive tasks. Individuals who choose not to work do not receive any form of payment.
Public funds cover the £2.7 million yearly cost for inmates’ wages in Scottish prisons.
In 2019, both the SPS and Glasgow Caledonian University examined the policies regarding inmate wages within prisons.
Back then, the prison service’s inmate earnings policy outlined wages ranging from £5 per week at the lower end of the spectrum to £18-£21 per week for individuals in more challenging positions.
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