Being in prison isn’t easy but life just got a little better for vegan prisoners in the UK.  Prisoners are now permitted to order approved vegan products including nuts, seeds, dried fruits, vegan chocolate bars, soap, shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, lipstick and facial scrubs from two different eco-outlets.

There are an estimated 800 vegan prisoners in the prison population at any give time and there is an extreme shortage of products in the prison system that can accommodate the lifestyle.  After a 15-year long battle, the Vegan Prisoners Support Group (VPSG) has gotten the Prison Service to allow vegans to order ethical food and toiletries by mail order.  That is, if none are present at the prison shop.  A spokesperson for the VPSG stated that it was “critical” for the prisoner’s health that they have access to vegan (and suitable) food.  For example, vegans would not be able to get enough iodine from a prison diet which could lead to the slowing of their thyroid whereas other inmates would get their iodine from fish or milk.

While the inmates are celebrating the victory with vegan chocolate bars there are others who are less than thrilled with the new ruling.  One source had this to say:

“These guys are crooks. They are in prison to serve time. We can’t be running around making sure they have the right sun cream or that they have the one brazil nut or selection of walnuts to make sure they get enough vitamins.  They gave up any rights to have principals when they robbed the old lady, burgled a house, smuggled cocaine or beat someone up.”

So what do you think?  Should the dietary restrictions of a vegan lifestyle be upheld in the prison system?  Do vegans give up any rights to ethical living because they were convicted of a crime?  Or, should they be treated like any other prisoner in the system?

via www.telegraph.co.uk