Correctional Services defends cost-cutting new prison menu: 'They get 3 meals a day'
Inmates are up in arms over the food they are receiving amid budget cuts.
Photo: Pexels/RDNE Stock project
702’s Bongani Bingwa speaks with Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services.
Listen below:
To cut costs, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has introduced a new meal plan, much to the dismay of the inmates.
They say the budget cuts are coming at the expense of their health and well-being, and the food they receive is of poor quality.
Officials in the Department say the plan was designed by a nutritionist and includes pork, beans, eggs, beef, chicken, fish and giblets.
However, the prisoners say they are lucky if they get watery soya beans and boiled eggs, with pap or dry bread.
Ramolobeng says on-site investigators have found kitchens were compliant and inmates are served food three times a day.
She adds that she has tasted the food on one of these visits and it is palatable.
“... we have seen pork, we have seen beef, we have seen chicken, fish, eggs, bread.”
- Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, Chairperson - Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services
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Ramolobeng argues it is unsurprising that the inmates are complaining, as they are struggling with isolation from their families and respond in this way.
“They will always find something to complain about.”
- Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, Chairperson - Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services
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