Food Behind Bars
We’re Food Behind Bars. We believe that food has the power to transform people’s lives. Since 2016, we have made it our mission to improve the food served in British prisons.
As the UK’s national campaign for prison food, we speak publicly about the issue and share the stories of those who have experienced it firsthand. We work with prisons on the subject of food - to improve the lives of those eating it and support the people making it. Why? Because better diet leads to better outcomes - both in and out of prison.
Food Behind Bars
We’re Food Behind Bars. We believe that food has the power to transform people’s lives. Since 2016, we have made it our mission to improve the food served in British prisons.
As the UK’s national campaign for prison food, we speak publicly about the issue and share the stories of those who have experienced it firsthand. We work with prisons on the subject of food - to improve the lives of those eating it and support the people making it. Why? Because better diet leads to better outcomes - both in and out of prison.
What's the problem?
There are over 100 prisons in the UK, housing some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. With violence and self-harm at a record high, the mental and physical wellbeing of our prison population is more important than ever. We believe that diet should be used as a tool to support - not undermine - the often challenging needs of these individuals.
Food should be healthy, nutritious and varied, providing prisoners with a balanced diet that doesn’t just impact their time in prison, but has a lasting effect on the rest of their lives.
What's the problem?
There are over 100 prisons in the UK, housing some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. With violence and self-harm at a record high, the mental and physical wellbeing of our prison population is more important than ever. We believe that diet should be used as a tool to support - not undermine - the often challenging needs of these individuals. Food should be healthy, nutritious and varied, providing prisoners with a balanced diet that doesn’t just impact their time in prison, but has a lasting effect on the rest of their lives.
What do we do?
Our aim is to address three key questions:
What needs to be done to make tasty, nutritious food available to prisoners?
How do we encourage and excite prisoners about eating healthily?
What role should cooking and food play in prison life to make an impact during their sentence and leave a legacy after release?
How do we do it?
We work closely with the prison, its staff and its residents on the topic of food. Our Food Behind Bars Programme primarily focuses on two key areas - menu development and practical food education. Our work is hands-on and tailored to the unique needs of the prison. You might be a catering manager who is looking to develop a more exciting menu within the £2.10 budget, or a prison governor who wants to cultivate a safer and more positive environment. We collaborate with our community of chefs and food experts to deliver practical and meaningful change.
What do we expect?
We are under no illusion that food alone will transform prison life. However, we do believe that diet is the core principle of our health and wellbeing. Better diet in prison has the ability to improve:
Behaviour
Mental and Physical Health
Mood
Self Esteem
Relationships
Learning
Why should we care?
It’s easy to see prison as something that is far removed from everyday life. But the way prison operates has an effect on every single person in society. Each individual in prison will eventually be re-released into our neighbourhoods, and we believe they should be in the best possible position to succeed if we want society to benefit as a whole.
The health and wellbeing of that individual is integral to that success - and therefore diet plays a central role. This belief underpins everything we do at Food Behind Bars.