Prisoners at HMP Manchester, previously known as Strangeways, have the opportunity to make daily purchases through the prison’s canteen sheet. This high-security men’s prison, with a capacity of over 1,200 inmates, has been a significant part of Manchester’s infrastructure since 1868. A recent Freedom of Information Act request from the Ministry of Justice unveiled the items available for purchase at the beginning of September. The canteen sheet revealed a variety of products, from vapes to vegan sausages, that prisoners could buy using money sent by their families or earned from their work within the prison.
Vaping Products and Other Items
One of the most notable findings on the canteen sheet was the availability of vaping products for purchase. With prices ranging from £2.89 to £3.99, prisoners could easily acquire a rechargeable vape. Surprisingly, the cost of a raspberry ripple vape was even cheaper than a box of Kellogg’s Coco Pops, priced at £3.49. This highlights the diversity of products available for purchase, catering to a range of preferences among the inmates.
Prisoners at Strangeways have the option to purchase items with the money they receive from their families or earnings from their work assignments within the prison. According to data published by the Ministry of Justice in 2020, unemployed prisoners can expect to receive a base rate of £2.50 per week on a five-day work structure. Employed prisoners, on the other hand, receive a higher minimum wage of £4 per week. However, even with this income, purchasing certain items can consume a significant portion of their weekly allowance.
Cost of Living in Prison
For instance, a box of cereal could account for 87% of a prisoner’s weekly allowance on an employed salary. This emphasizes the challenges prisoners face in managing their finances while incarcerated. The canteen sheet also features a range of items with varying prices, from Qurans priced at £8.85 to Cantu shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer at £7 each. While hair care products are priced similarly to their retail prices outside of prison, other items such as bedding sets exceed market value significantly.
Bedding items like duvets, duvet covers, pillowcases, and bed sheets are priced well above their typical retail costs. For example, a single duvet is listed at £31.99, more than double the price of a standard 13.5 tog duvet at a retail store. This highlights the inflated prices prisoners must contend with when purchasing essential items for their living quarters.
Range of Products Available
Despite the higher prices for certain items, the canteen sheet also includes more affordable options such as breakfast spreads, sweets, and stationery. Among the least expensive items available for purchase are postage stamps, priced at 1p and 10p respectively. This allows prisoners to communicate with their loved ones through mail at a minimal cost.
The Ministry of Justice’s FOI report revealed that DHL produces the canteen sheets for HMP Manchester, indicating that the available products are subject to change regularly. This dynamic nature ensures that prisoners have access to a variety of items for purchase, catering to their diverse needs and preferences.
In conclusion, the canteen sheet at HMP Manchester offers a glimpse into the daily purchases available to prisoners, ranging from vaping products to everyday essentials. While some items may come at a higher cost compared to retail prices, the variety of products ensures that inmates have access to a range of goods to meet their needs during their time in prison.