‘New 12-day cycle meal plan for inmates adheres to health standards’

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services says they have made sure that the new 12-day cycle meal plan for inmates adheres to health standards. This comes after the Department of Correctional Service implemented the new plan to introduce a variety of meals for nutritional balance.

However, some inmates complained about the quality of the food.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Ramoboleng, says there is nothing wrong with the meals.

“Yes, there is an introduction of beans. I said if the department was saying in a 12 days cycle we have beef for 4 days, chicken for 4 days, fish for 4 days, but it’s cutting that down. So, now chicken will be for two days and beef and the other remaining days will be for beans and identified proteins, but the food is of good quality and it has adherence to health practitioners who gave a go-ahead on this meal plan,” says Ramoboleng.

Meanwhile, some prisoners are complaining saying the meals are not well cooked.

“The food is half a cup; the beans are uncooked and the porridge they give us in the morning is water, is like drinking mageu and the curry has no soup; it’s dry. There is no proper diet planning, and the beef is small chunks. So, everything is small pieces,” says one of the inmates.

“The food is not cooked properly. Some days the meat is rotten, and they brought a soya beans. Now, they say it’s high protein food, but we get sick … runny stomach. None of what they are saying is true,” says another inmate.

Video: SA Prisons – Concern over quality of food for inmates