PRISONERS at two Glasgow jails had £21,000 spent on them to help celebrate Christmas and New Year.

An investigation by the Glasgow Times has revealed inmates at Barlinnie and Low Moss tucked into traditional meals with all the trimmings that cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds.

Convicts at Barlinnie in Riddrie - which has housed some of Scotland’s most dangerous criminals – were treated to festive fun which included snooker and table tennis competitions, quizzes, word searches and bowls – with over £2,000 spent buying prizes for winners.

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There was also a carol concert, festive-themed visits from relatives, Hannukah celebrations and a cinema day to show Christmas films, while almost £2,400 was spent buying selection boxes for inmates.

Prisoners at Low Moss enjoyed a more low-key festive period with just religious services on Christmas and New Year’s Day, but they were still able to enjoy a traditional dinner.

Glasgow Times:

On December 25 they were given two bacon rolls and sauce with orange juice for breakfast before being served a dinner comprising cream of tomato soup, turkey and roast ham with onion gravy, stuffing, mini chipolatas, gratin potatoes and a selection of vegetables, followed by an individual trifle and a mince pie.

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At Barlinnie, almost £500 was spent on Christmas cards while another £1000 went on buying 3000 chaplaincy cards. A sum of £380 was spent on the jail’s tree and decorations and £38 on chocolate for a ‘life skills party’.

Glasgow Times:

Inmates there enjoyed roast turkey, complete with pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing and sweet cranberry gravy, dished up alongside roast potatoes, sprouts and julienne carrots.

Christmas pudding topped off the festive lunch before they were served a pork rib steak, hot dog and cheese slice, Bakewell tart, tangerine and Irn-Bru later in the day.

On January 1 at Low Moss, chefs served up a menu boasting Scotch broth soup and traditional steak pie with marquise roast potatoes and mixed seasonal vegetables, followed by fruit cheesecake for dessert.

Glasgow Times:

The data was released to the Glasgow Times through a request under freedom of information laws.

Our probe also discovered £1689 was spent making Chicken Balmoral for prisoners and a further £1800 on braised steak. Thousands of pounds were also spent on other treats, with £800 on cream doughnuts, another £336 on shortbread and £800 on cakes and ice cream.

One prison source told the Glasgow Times: “People are struggling to buy food yet some of the country's most hardened criminals were enjoying a slap-up meal, prizes, and competitions at the expense of the taxpayer. I understand they need to eat, but Chicken Balmoral steak, Irn-Bru and chocolates don't add up to much of a punishment.

“It seems that prisoners are eating better than those living on the breadline who are having to rely on food banks to survive.”

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Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP, said: “In a cost-of-living crisis it is understandable that hard-working people, who are struggling to afford small luxuries for their own families, will find the details of how much was spent to provide prisoners in Scotland with a comfortable Christmas difficult to accept.

“However, we must also understand that the prison service has an obligation to treat inmates humanely, and whilst these figures seem excessive, I would be interested to see what the total cost was per prisoner.”

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson added: “The festive period can be difficult for many of those in our care and their families, and it is important to emphasise support for their mental health and wellbeing at this time of year.

“The work carried out in our establishments brings a piece of festive cheer to those in our care, by providing activities and a meal to mark the occasion.”

"Monies contributing to competition prizes are drawn from establishments' 'common-good' funds collected from individuals in our care.”

HMP Barlinnie:

Selection boxes - £2302.56

 Christmas tree/Kids Car - £141.60

Cards x 1500 - £498

 Chaplaincy cards x 3000 -  £946.80

Christmas trees and Decorations - £240.00

Prizes - £1040.72

Christmas Prizes - £1147.48

 Chocolate for life skills party - £37.97

Snacks/Drinks for family concert - £49.12

 HMP Low Moss 

Weetabix - £200.76

Milk - £592

Orange Juice - £334.70

Bacon - £1169

Turkey and roast ham - £1050.24

Veg  - £211

 Trifle - £960

Rolls - £672

Chipolatas - £480

 Braised steak - £1800

Ice cream/cake - £800

Fruit - £360

 Potatoes - £365

Cereal - £200

Frosties - £214.

Diced steak extra - £691.10

Cheesecake - £960

Cream doughnut - £800

Shortbread - £336

Irn-Bru - £336

Potatoes - £365

Puff pastry - £74

Chicken balmoral - £1680