Inmates transferred to the same prison as serial killer Rose West are complaining about gaining weight. A review of HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire, housing approximately 380 prisoners, including 40 serving life sentences, revealed that inmates relocated from other facilities across the country were dissatisfied with the high carbohydrate content in the meals. Independent Monitoring Board inspectors instructed the catering manager to offer healthier and more balanced food options.

To address the issue, the prison kitchen now offers Buddha Bowls, featuring vegetarian dishes with modest portions of brown rice, quinoa, vegetables, chickpeas, and tofu. Despite these efforts, some inmates still criticize the meals as too heavy and calorie-laden.

Several years ago, Rose West was reportedly instructed by prison medical staff to go on a diet due to being “dangerously overweight,” reaching 18 stone from consuming an unhealthy diet of cake, crisps, and chocolate while incarcerated.

In response to inmate complaints about weight gain after their transfer to New Hall, a team of 25 inmate cooks and the catering manager are revamping the menu. The new approach focuses on providing a wider variety of nutritious and balanced meals, introducing 12 plant-based Buddha bowls that offer adequate protein and essential vitamins and minerals.

The recent report emphasized prisoners’ desire for more diverse food choices and highlighted the observation that many female inmates tend to gain weight at New Hall. Female prisoners have previously raised concerns about the predominance of carbohydrate-heavy foods like bread, chips, pasta, and pizzas.

The report acknowledged the generally satisfactory catering arrangements but noted a decline in food quality since the last inspection, with many women feeling the menus contained an excessive amount of carbohydrates. While the sampled food was deemed acceptable, the prison acknowledged the need to offer a more balanced diet with fewer carbohydrates.

Studies indicate that around 70% of the estimated 3,500 female prisoners are overweight or obese, with approximately one-third classified as obese with a BMI of 40 or higher. A BMI score of 40 signifies severe obesity, increasing the risk of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. A healthy BMI for women ranges between 18.5 and 24.9, with anything above 25 considered overweight.

According to a prison insider, many inmates resort to “comfort eating” while incarcerated. They highlighted that while the food quality is improving, it often remains heavy, featuring items like pies, pizzas, pasta, and fish and chips on the daily menu.