SOME say that people in prison enjoy life on the soft, but, arguably, not if you are banged up in Maghull.
Last year, HMP Kennet was named the most overcrowded nick in England and Wales.
Now it has at least been given a clean bill of lentil health - after being named as one of the UK's top five prisons for vegan food.
"Whenever you see convicted criminals turning away from a violent animal-based diet, it's a good sign," says Mimi Bekhechi of animal rights group PETA. "We commend these prisons for helping to protect their inmates' health and deeply held beliefs."
PETA came up with the list and insists: “Feeding prisoners pasta instead of pork chops will help decrease violence in our society,”
No mention of that vegan mainstay of prison life, porridge, (just add soya milk or water) but PETA adds: “Today's prisons – recognising that inmates require healthy and humane meals on the road to rehabilitation – offer a wide variety of cruelty-free eating options."
PETA researched which prisons are doing the best job of meeting their inmates' hunger for “compassionate” meals and singled out Kennet - which houses Category C and D prisoners - for its vegan sausage casserole, shepherd's pie and spag bol.
Tzatziki
But the vegan menus served at HMP Coldingley in Woking are a cutlet above - the prison even makes its own vegan mayonnaise and includes such favourites as homemade Cornish pasties, chickpea paella, vegan moussaka and bean-and-lentil patties.
HMP KennetAlso in the top five are HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, HMP Isle of Wight, and MP Guys Marsh, where baguette fillings include tzatziki made with soya yoghurt, roasted peppers and onions and bean pâté.
PETA reminds people that most animals for slaughter won't even smell fresh air or feel the sun on their backs and are crammed into windowless pens.
HMP Kennet, which is designed to hold 175 men but it now holds 337, can look forward to a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation from PETA.
