Inmates cry fowl over 'inauthentic' chicken dish

The complaints are among a catalogue of grumbles about prison food at Armley jail in Leeds.

An inspection report published today says that ethnic minority inmates were particularly unhappy with the food.

It said: "The menu continued to have limited cultural variation and only nine per cent of black and minority ethnic and four per cent of Muslim prisoners in our survey said the food was good.

"Many complained that meals such as Caribbean chicken were not authentic."

Although special meals were served during the Muslim festival of Eid, and at Chinese New Year, there was no celebration of food from different cultures.

Prison inspectors have urged jail staff to make more effort to "celebrate food from different cultures".

Inmates also complained about small portions. "Prisoners on all wings complained about insufficient portions, not receiving their chosen meal and serveries running out of food."

The report concluded that some food was satisfactory but other foods were "tasteless and of poor quality."

The Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said the general regime at the jail had improved but inspectors were still concerned about the high levels of illegal drug use and the negative comments made by Muslim inmates about some staff.