Prisoners will not receive visitors and will be fed a lunch
worth $4 on Christmas Day this year, Corrections Services
says.
For the 8500 people in the country's prisons, December 25
will "resemble a day much like any other".
Inmates will be allowed to attend church services and some,
depending on their security classification, will have the
opportunity for "recreational activities such as sport and
music".
The main meal of the day, usually served for dinner, will be
served at Christmas lunch while the dinner meal will consist
of the sandwiches usually served at lunch.
"The meal will meet basic nutritional requirements but will
not be lavish and prisoners who wish to attend church
services on the day will be able to attend
multi-denominational church services inside the wire,"
Corrections Services general manager Dr Brendan Anstiss said.
The meal would cost about $4 per prisoner.
Prisoners will also be prevented from seeing their loved ones
on Christmas Day, with no visits taking place on any of the
statutory holidays.
Normal visiting times will run over the rest of the holiday
period.
Prisoners will have the opportunity to sweeten their day a
little though, with Roses chocolates, Christmas mince pies,
small fruit puddings and an iced Christmas cake available for
purchase through the canteen system.
Pillars, a charity for children of prisoners, will run an
activity centre, complete with Santa and presents, in the
visitors centre in the days around Christmas when family can
visit.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.