Routine becomes a necessity while serving a prison sentence. Our day always begins with an early wake up for a head count. It is challenging to have a healthy diet in jail as the price to be healthy is unaffordable and the ability to purchase vegetables for the majority is unattainable. For breakfast we are provided with several slices of bread and a handful of cereal. You would have to starve yourself if you are trying to lose weight.
For lunch, on weekdays we are given more slices of bread with two thin slices of meat, either chicken loaf, beef or salami - which actually isn’t salami but apparently called devon. And just a handful of leaf mix. On the odd occasion we would have boiled eggs instead of meat, and on the extremely rare occasion, a few slices of cheese are given.
On weekends we receive a hot lunch which is either soggy pies or sausage rolls, yum. For dinner we receive a hot meal which is a rotation of either diced beef, Maryland chicken or minced beef. Friday dinners there is an all time favourite, soggy fried basa fish and roast potato - which is meant to be chips but hasn’t been for years under unknown reasons.
On Sundays we are provided roast beef and roast potato for dinner. We are also able to apply for vegetarian or the healthy choice option. Healthy choice dinner meals are a rotation of chicken breast, beans or tuna with salad. There is meant to be a four week rotation in the menu but most of the meals are the same and often repetitive.
We can also purchase two frozen meat packs a week and can cook it ourselves. The options to pick from are: chicken breast, economy porterhouse steak (which has the same thickness as a pen), pork ribs, salmon, lamb chops, pork chops or kosher chicken breast. We also purchase from the canteen once a week, but the canteen doesn’t have a fridge so they can’t get any other healthy options or anything cold. We can purchase eggs and cereal but mainly confectionary. We cannot purchase vegetables.
Routine becomes a necessity while serving a prison sentence. Our day always begins with an early wake up for a head count. It is challenging to have a healthy diet in jail as the price to be healthy is unaffordable and the ability to purchase vegetables for the majority is unattainable. For breakfast we are provided with several slices of bread and a handful of cereal. You would have to starve yourself if you are trying to lose weight.
For lunch, on weekdays we are given more slices of bread with two thin slices of meat, either chicken loaf, beef or salami - which actually isn’t salami but apparently called devon. And just a handful of leaf mix. On the odd occasion we would have boiled eggs instead of meat, and on the extremely rare occasion, a few slices of cheese are given.
On weekends we receive a hot lunch which is either soggy pies or sausage rolls, yum. For dinner we receive a hot meal which is a rotation of either diced beef, Maryland chicken or minced beef. Friday dinners there is an all time favourite, soggy fried basa fish and roast potato - which is meant to be chips but hasn’t been for years under unknown reasons.
On Sundays we are provided roast beef and roast potato for dinner. We are also able to apply for vegetarian or the healthy choice option. Healthy choice dinner meals are a rotation of chicken breast, beans or tuna with salad. There is meant to be a four week rotation in the menu but most of the meals are the same and often repetitive.
We can also purchase two frozen meat packs a week and can cook it ourselves. The options to pick from are: chicken breast, economy porterhouse steak (which has the same thickness as a pen), pork ribs, salmon, lamb chops, pork chops or kosher chicken breast. We also purchase from the canteen once a week, but the canteen doesn’t have a fridge so they can’t get any other healthy options or anything cold. We can purchase eggs and cereal but mainly confectionary. We cannot purchase vegetables.
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When I paint, I'm not in prison anymore. I'm lost for hours in my artwork.
I’d think there are a lot of inmates looking for someone to talk to, for some people it might help with the healing process.
Since having my first ever grandson nearly 3 years ago now, it’s made me realise that I not only want to change, but I need to do it not only for myself but for my family.
My name is Jean. I am a wiry spitfire, 65 years young, and incarcerated for the past 24 years with a L.W.O.P. (Life Without Parole) sentence.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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