What NZ inmates will eat on December 25

The Department of Corrections has released details of the Christmas Day menu for the inmates at its 18 prisons across the country.

Inmates will man the kitchens on the day, preparing 10,000 meals of roast chicken, gravy, roast potatoes, carrots, green peas, two slices of bread and apple pie with custard.

All prison meals are designed and prepared in line with nutrition guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Health.

The main Christmas meal will be provided at lunchtime, with sandwiches given in the evening, Corrections said.

As with any other day, vegetarian and other special dietary requirements will also be catered for.

In the lead-up to the silly season, inmates and Corrections staff have been involved in a range of activities aimed at bringing cheer to the community for the holidays.

"These projects range from the creation of gifts for community groups in need to growing food for charity Christmas events," said Corrections deputy National Commissioner Rachel Leota.

"They enable offenders and staff to contribute positively and give back to their communities."

The meal prisoners will be served on Christmas Day.s. Photograph/Department of Corrections.

Each year, Community Corrections sites and prisons around the country donate fresh produce from community and prison gardens to local food banks.

The sites donate produce year round, but the offenders who help pick the produce work especially hard during the holiday season to help make Christmas celebrations easier for those in need.

Children of offenders will receive a handmade goodie bag of Christmas treats when they accompany a parent to New Plymouth Community Corrections for a virtual visit via audio-visual link with mum or dad who is in prison, or when their parent reports in to the site or when a probation officer makes a home visit to see their parent.

Read more at NZHerald.co.nz