Prison food is getting better, says report

Jokes about the quality of prison food may no longer be appropriate, following a recent Government report.

The report shows that for those doing "porridge", the food is getting better, although more could be done to ensure it's served properly.

The National Audit Office (NAO) study of 16 prisons found that while nutritional standards have risen and inmates have more choice than at the time of its last study in 1997, meals are not always served promptly.

The report said: "Food is often not served within 45 minutes of its preparation, which means it risks losing some of its palatability and nutritional content." It also found that meals at some prisons were served too early.

Al Crisci, catering services manager at Highdown prison in Sutton, Surrey, said that despite cases of bad practice, things were heading in the right direction. "While standards have got worse in hospitals and schools, our food budgets have increased, if anything," he said.