The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2006

Prisoners' food

29.—(1) The Governor shall ensure that every prisoner is provided with sufficient wholesome and nutritious food and drink, well prepared and presented, which takes into account the prisoner’s age, health, and, so far as reasonably practicable, his or her religious, cultural or other requirements.

(2) Where by reason of exceptional circumstances pertaining in the prison, it is not practicable to provide food and drink to prisoners, or any particular group or category of prisoners, in terms of paragraph (1)–

(a) subject to sub paragraph (b), the Governor shall seek to provide food and drink so far as reasonably practicable having regard to the circumstances; and

(b) where the exceptional circumstances have existed for more than 48 hours, the Scottish Ministers may by direction provide that paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to prisoners in that prison until such time as they consider that it is practicable for it to do so.

(3) The Governor shall, on a daily basis–

(a) taste some food and drink prepared for prisoners for the purpose of checking its quality and condition;

(b) check that the quantity of food and drink prepared for prisoners is adequate; and

(c) ensure that the conditions under which such food and drink are prepared and served or re heated prior to serving are inspected by an officer.

(4) If an officer finds any deficiency as a result of any inspection or sampling in terms of paragraph (3), the Governor shall remedy the deficiency as soon as reasonably practicable.

(5) Except where the Governor or a medical officer so authorises, no prisoner shall receive or possess food or drink other than that which–

(a) is provided in terms of this rule; or

(b) the prisoner is permitted to purchase within the prison.