Christmas Menu Released

The Department of Corrections today released the Prison Christmas Menu for 2007.

Corrections Inmate Employment Internal Services Manager Ruth Turner says that Prison kitchens are one important facet of the work CIE does to train prisoners.

"Prisoners in the kitchen at each prison will cook the Christmas meals, just as they do every other day,” says Ms Turner.

"Our prison kitchens give prisoners skills they can use upon release. Prisoners in the kitchen work to achieve New Zealand Qualifications Authority credits. Those credits are accumulated, 60 credits will give a prisoner a Level 2 Hospitality Certificate in Cookery.

"Research has shown that prisoners who find sustainable work after release are less likely to re-offend upon release. The work prisoners in the kitchen do and the qualifications they gain will greatly improve their chances of finding employment when they are eventually released.

"Prisoners throughout New Zealand will prepare around 23,000 meals during Christmas day."

Ruth says Corrections budgets $4 per day to feed prisoners and the major difference on Christmas day is that dinner is served at lunch time.

"Christmas can be a trying period for prisoners and their friends and family.

"Corrections is committed to providing prisoners with a safe, secure and humane environment while ensuring the day is marked in an appropriate way.

"The meals on Christmas day are almost identical to that served on any other day with the added extra of a Christmas mince pie. The menu is the same across all 20 prisons.

"Lunch is a portion of chicken, a serving of vegetables and a mince pie. Cold meat, salads and fruit will be dished up for dinner.

"While the meals are nutritious, they are by no means lavish."

Note to reporter

• Prisoners' children may receive presents through the Angel Tree Programme. The programme operates at most New Zealand prisons and is co-ordinated by the Prison Fellowship New Zealand, who organise the purchase and distribution of gifts to the children of prisoners.
• In some regions, the Prisoners' Aid and Rehabilitation Society (PARS) may purchase gifts on prisoners’ behalf for them to send to their friends and family.
• Prisoners may attend a multi-denominational service led by the Prison Chaplain if they wish to do so.
• Prisoners may receive approved gifts from friends and family, however all items are subject to normal security processes to prevent contraband entering the prison.

For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:

• Phone: (04) 460 3365
• After hours: (021) 761 828
• Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz