Australian Capital Territory
Corrections Management (Provision of Meals) Policy 2011
Notifiable instrument NI2011-140
made under the  
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14(1) (Corrections policies and operating procedures) 

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Corrections Management (Provision of Meals) Policy 2011.
2	Commencement
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified.
3	Policy
I make the

provision of meals policy

attached to this instrument, to facilitate the effective and efficient management of correctional services.

4	Revocation
This instrument revokes notifiable instrument NI2009-156.

Barry Folpp
A/g Executive Director 
ACT Corrective Services
24 February 2011

ACT Corrective Services
Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC)

Provision of Meals Policy

Purpose
Authority
Policy
Principles
Meal Preparation
Meal delivery and service
Cottage prisoners
Special diets
Vegetarian
Religious
Medical
Approval
Discontinuation
Forms and Templates
Related Policies and Procedures

Purpose
To outline the policy for the provision of meals for prisoners. 

Authority
Legislation
Corrections Management Act 2007, sections 14 and 40.

Policy
Principles
Prisoners are entitled to be provided with sufficient food and drink to avoid hunger and poor nourishment. These meals will be served at times consistent with the cultural norms of Australia.

Prisoners may apply to be provided with a special diet (including for religious, cultural, and spiritual reasons).

Requests for special diets must be made in writing to the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent.

Meal Preparation
Prisoners in Cellblocks, the Management Unit, the Remand Cottage, the Female High Needs Cottage and the Crisis Support Unit will be issued with a meal prepared in the kitchen. 

Sentenced prisoners in cottages will normally cook their own meals.

Meal delivery and service
Prisoners and catering staff working in the kitchen will deliver food to the Cellblocks, Management Unit, Remand Cottage, Female High Needs Cottage and Crisis Support Unit. Prisoners will be provided with a breakfast pack in the evening. 

Cottage prisoners
Prisoners in sentenced cottages will be allocated a budget that can be used to order items from an approved list. These items will be delivered to the cottages on a weekly basis. Staff from Food Services will provide cottage prisoners with the required training and assistance to cook nutritious meals. Food Services staff will audit meals prepared by cottage prisoners to ensure they are receiving appropriate nutrition. 

Special diets
Vegetarian
Prisoners may select a vegetarian option from the Menu Order Sheet.

Prisoners who wish to receive a vegan meal may apply for this by submitting a Prisoner Request Form to the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent.  

Religious
Prisoners who wish to receive a diet consistent with a particular religion (for example Halal or Kosher foods) may apply for this by submitting a Prisoner Request Form to the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent. The Deputy Superintendent may seek advice from the Chaplain or any other person to assist them in making a recommendation to the Superintendent.

Medical
Corrections Health staff may request that a prisoner be placed on a particular diet.  This request will be made in writing to the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent and will detail the reasons for the request.

Prisoners with food allergies should contact Corrections Health staff who may assess the allergy and recommend a special diet if necessary. 

Approval
The discretion to grant or deny a special diet rests with the Superintendent.

If the Superintendent approves a prisoner’s application to receive a special diet, the Superintendent will advise the Catering Services Manager who will take responsibility for providing the diet. 

The CO2 of the prisoner’s accommodation area will document the decision by making a case note in JOIST.

Discontinuation
Prisoners wishing to discontinue a special diet will submit a Prisoner Request Form detailing the reasons for the discontinuation to the Superintendent through the Deputy Superintendent.

Forms and Templates 
Prisoner Request Form

Related Policies and Procedures
Nil