Inmates at Castle Huntly and Perth Prison can look forward to slap-up meals on Christmas Day.
Menus issued by the Scottish Prison Service reveal convicts at Castle Huntly will enjoy brunch including lorne and link sausage and black pudding before sitting down to hearty Christmas lunches.
Their options for Christmas lunch are Chicken Balmoral, beef and onion pie or brie and beetroot tart, all served with Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots and gravy.
For dessert they will be able to choose between Christmas pudding and cream or fresh fruit.
At Perth Prison inmates will have to make do with either a chicken fillet and bacon or a vegetable kiev for their Christmas dinner.
Dessert will be a chocolate orange gateaux or fruit.
Both institutions will offer inmates steak pie on New Year’s Day.
Christmas menus cost the Scottish Prison Service £2.58 per head, the same as meals during the rest of year.
Prisoners across Scotland will also be treated to pampering sessions, stand-up comedians and TV game show competitions at Christmas.
The Scottish Prison Service said more than £13,000 will be spent on the events with most of the cost paid for through “common good funds”, made up of charitable donations and prison workshop profits.
Female inmates at Cornton Vale prison will be treated to nail painting and pampering sessions, as well as a treasure hunt and karaoke and ‘Pin the nose on Rudolph’ contests.
Inmates at HMP Low Moss will play a version of TV game show The Cube while those at Barlinnie in Glasgow will be treated to comedians, a singer and sports contests.
At HMP Edinburgh there will be a scavenger hunt, quizzes and tennis and basketball competitions.
Female inmates at HMP Grampian will also be given pampering sessions while the men play for prizes in an 11-a-side football tournament.
Shotts maximum security prison in Lanarkshire, home to some of the country’s worst offenders, will hold sports days, two comedy nights and quizzes.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr MSP said: “No-one would begrudge prisons laying on some kind of acknowledgement that it’s Christmas time.
“But victims of crime will be understandably angry and upset at some of the flamboyant activities on offer.”
A spokesman for the SPS said: “The vast majority of these events where there are costs associated are paid for through the common good fund which the prisoners contribute to. Other events are paid for from existing budgets.
“Christmas is a very important time for everyone and it is also a time when families have the opportunity to spend time with people in our care. These events can nurture family relationships which help to reduce reoffending.”
