All 8500 prisoners
in the New Zealand prison system eat halal-certified meat,
despite only 82 prisoners identifying themselves as Muslim.
For a meat processor to be halal certified, meat must be
slaughtered by Muslims and cannot be contaminated by alcohol
or pig products.
Corrections rehabilitation general manager Phil McCarthy
confirmed, in response to an Official Information Act
request, the department had bought meat from a
halal-accredited supplier since 2005.
The department took 23 working days to respond to the Otago
Daily Times request.
Mr McCarthy said the department had a national supply
agreement with Napier-based Bay Cuisine Ltd.
Following a 2004 national menu review, it was decided
tenderers for the meat contract needed to have halal
certification.
It did not cost the department more to buy food from a
halal-credited supplier, despite extra costs associated with
halal certification.
New Zealand Islamic Meat Management and the Federation of
Islamic Associations of New Zealand provide halal
certification in New Zealand.
A federation spokesman said it cost up to $2000 for a meat
processing company to be halal certified.
After certification, the premises were checked by a
supervisor about every fortnight.
The certification was also renewed every year.
Mr McCarthy said the department, when providing food, made
allowances, "as far as practicable in the circumstances", for
the religious and spiritual needs of prisoners.
Prisoners could choose a vegetarian or vegan menu, or a
non-pork diet, he said.
"The Department of Corrections acknowledges that food is an
important part of the religious observances of many prisoners
and endeavours to meet their needs by the provision of
alternative options to the standard menu."
The department needed large volumes of food and could
therefore reduce costs through economies of scale.
In the 2007-08 year, 8,333,515 meals were provided from
prison kitchens, at an average cost of $4.12 per prisoner per
day, for three meals.
sarah.harvey@odt.co.nz
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