Guide for Vegan Prisoners
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This booklet has been produced by Guide VPSG and The Vegan Society for Vegan Published September 2012 Prisoners VPSG P.O. Box 194 Enfield, Middx, EN1 4YL Tel: 020 8363 5729 Website: www.vpsg.info Email: [email protected] Contents INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Introduction, 1 Definition of a Vegan, 1 The aim of this booklet is to provide NOMS Guidelines on the Care of Vegans, 2 vegan prisoners with practical Basic beliefs, 2 information to help ensure that their Diet, 2 vegan requirements are provided, e.g. Purchase of Supplements and Remedies, 2 food, toiletries, shoes etc. Dress, 2 Toiletries, 2 In addition, to give guidance on how to Work, 2 gain access to vegan supplements or Recommended Practices in Catering, 3 herbal remedies. Storage and Meal Service, 3 There are various systems in place to Weekly Vegan Provisions, 3 provide equal opportunities to vegan Basic Guidelines for a Vegan Diet, 4 prisoners, but these can sometimes be Rainbow Fruit/Vegetables, 4 difficult to navigate without the relevant Selenium, 4 information. Please keep this booklet safe during your sentence as the Essential Fatty Acids, 4 information might prove useful. Magnesium and Calcium, 4 Whole Grain vs Refined, 4 Definition of a Vegan Hydrogenated Fat, 4 Seeds, 4 VEGANISM may be defined as a way B12/Iodine, 4 of living which seeks to exclude, as far Vitamin D, 4 as possible and practicable, all forms of Textured Vegetable Protein, 4 exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals Salt Reduction, 4 for food, clothing or any other purpose. 5-A-Day, 5 In dietary terms it refers to the Fruit, 5 practice of dispensing with all animal Rainbow Foods, 5 products, including meat, fish, poultry, Green, 5 eggs, animal milks, honey, and their Orange, 5 derivatives. In terms of clothing, the Orange/Yellow, 5 wearing of such items as leather, Red, 5 suede, silk and wool, etc would not be Red/Purple, 5 acceptable to vegans. Yellow/Green, 5 White/Green, 5 Abhorrence of the cruel practices Protein Mainstays in the Vegan Diet, 6 inherent in an agricultural system Beans and Lentils, 6 based on the abuse of animals is Grains, 7 probably the single most common The Importance of Nuts and Seeds in the Vegan Diet, 7 reason for the adoption of veganism, Nutritional Requirements for a Vegan Diet, 8 but many people are also drawn to it for Keeping a Record of Your Diet, 9 health, ecological, resource, spiritual Animal Ingredients, 10 and other reasons. Animal and Vegan Ingredients, 10 The above information was provided by Toiletries, 11 the Vegan Society, which was formed Prison Retail (Canteen), 11 in 1944. Footwear, 12 Resolving Grievances, 12 The Vegan Society Take Steps to Stop Grievances Occurring, 12 Donald Watson House Details of the Grievance/Complaint, 12 21 Hylton Street Internal Resolution, 12 Hockley Request/Complaint Forms, 12 Birmingham External Resolution, 12 B18 6HJ Using the Vegan Society/VPSG, 13 Tel: 0121 523 1730 Frequently Asked Questions, 14 1 NOMSNOMS GUIDELINESGUIDELINES ONON THETHE CARECARE OFOF VEGANSVEGANS RECOMMENDEDRECOMMENDED PRACTICESPRACTICES ININ CATERINGCATERING Basic Beliefs Purchase of Supplements All work surfaces and chopping boards, utensils and all other kitchen equipment and and Herbal Remedies facilities should be either kept separate from those used for non-vegan food preparation, or 1.1 Veganism is not a religion but a cleaned thoroughly before vegan food preparation. philosophy whereby the use of an animal 3.1 Herbal remedies and dietary for food, clothing or any other purpose is supplements of vegetable or synthetic STORAGE AND MEAL SERVICE regarded as wholly unacceptable. origin such as iodine (e.g. kelp tablets) STORAGE AND MEAL SERVICE 1.2 The majority of vegans reject may be requested through the prison Note: It is good practice that meals for entirely anything which has its origins shop or via mail order. A vegan choice should be available at vegans are served in single portion trays in the exploitation, suffering or death of every meal and indicated as such. (i.e. tin foil or polystyrene and marked any creature. An individual may lead a Vegan products should be stored in Dress as such). A suitable diet stove should be vegan lifestyle for one particular reason separate containers where facilities allow. used for the preparation of vegan dishes. or for a combination of reasons, and 4.1 Clothing and footwear must be If this is not possible, then products may this may result in some vegans being from non-animal (e.g. plant or synthetic) be stored within the same facility in an Hot Cupboards and Hot Trolleys: stricter than others in what they deem sources. The wearing of all animal fibres, isolated designated area on a higher, Vegan dishes should be placed in as acceptable and unacceptable. Vegan skins and materials including wool, silk, separated shelf clearly labelled for vegan a separate compartment wherever beliefs are followed by individuals within leather and suede will not be accepted by products. Designated containers should possible, and in any event should be various faiths to varying degrees, and by vegan prisoners. be used. It is good practice that products covered and marked ‘vegan’. Vegan individuals of no faith. are issued by persons who are not options should be stacked higher than the non-vegan options to avoid cross 1.3 Most vegans will not involve handling animal products. Toiletries contamination. Separate utensils must be themselves, directly or indirectly, in Separation of vegan food during used for preparation and serving. anything whereby their lifestyle and 5.1 Toiletries containing any animal preparation and service is a key Establishments can purchase frozen beliefs are compromised or violated, derived ingredients and where either requirement, thereby avoiding cross oven-ready, prepared vegan meals either for themselves or for others. the product or its ingredients have been contamination with non-vegan products. available nationally from the contracted Throughout their lives, vegans will seek tested on animals are totally unacceptable Vegan products should be clearly frozen food supplier. Additional funds are to sever all links with, and dependencies and are not permitted. Therefore, labelled to avoid error. not available for this purpose. upon, the use or abuse of animals. whenever toiletries suitable for vegans are required, establishments should Diet make arrangements for such items to be stocked by prison retail, or ordered in as WEEKLYWEEKLY VEGANVEGAN PROVISIONSPROVISIONS (VEGAN(VEGAN PACK)PACK) 2.1 A Vegan diet is based on fruits, necessary. vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, pulses 5.2 Vegans should not be expected to It is recommended that the following are provided each week: and grains. The diet omits all animal use inappropriate toiletries. products including meat, poultry, fish, sea 5.3 Vegans should not be asked to creatures, invertebrates, eggs, animal handle or use substances that have • 3½ litres fortified soya milk (in order to consume sufficient milks, honey and royal jelly. Vegans involved animal testing of the product or calcium and B12) should not be required to handle such its ingredients. foodstuffs. Food/drink containing or made • 200g (7 oz) mixed nuts and seeds, consisting of 7 brazil nuts, with any of the above, or their derivatives, plus walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds (in order to provide should not be served. The Vegan Society Work can provide helpful information on a selenium and omega-3) 6.1 Most vegan prisoners will not wish range of issues including how nutrients to be involved in any way in the care of • 250g (9 oz) mixed dried fruit (raisins, dates, prunes etc) are obtained from a vegan diet. animals on prison farms. Vegans usually 2.2 Human nutrient requirements, with choose not to engage in any sport, hobby, • 250g (9 oz) oats (for use as a muesli base) the exception of B12, can be met by a diet or trade that directly or indirectly causes • 14-21 pieces of fruit, including 3 bananas/week and at least composed entirely of plant foods, but to stress, distress, suffering, or death to any do so it must be carefully planned using creature. one citrus fruit/day a wide selection of foods. Fortified yeast 6.2 Vegans should not be expected to extract is a good source of some of the work in a butchery or handle anything of B-vitamins, including B12, as is fortified animal origin or content. soya milk. 2 3 BASICBASIC GUIDELINESGUIDELINES FORFOR AA VEGANVEGAN DIETDIET 5-A-DAY5-A-DAY To maintain a healthy vegan diet at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables are required Rainbow Fruit/Vegetables Seeds each day. Potatoes are a starchy food and so do not count. Fruit and vegetables provide some of the vitamins and minerals needed for good health and they are also high fibre The 5-a-day should include plenty of Seeds are a concentrated source of nutrients foods. To ensure maximum absorption of vitamins, we recommend that some vegetables strongly coloured fruit/vegetables such as including calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin E, are eaten raw, as heating destroys some vitamins. green leafy vegetables, red/green peppers, copper, phosphorus and magnesium. broccoli, beetroot, butternut squash, carrots, It is recommended that seeds, such as Fruit sweet potatoes, apples, oranges and sunflower, sesame or pumpkin, are included kiwifruit. in the diet on a regular basis. Fresh fruit, dried fruit and fruit tinned in natural juices all contribute to the 5 a day total. A portion of fresh or tinned fruit would be 80g (3 oz). As dried fruit provides a more concentrated source of nutrients, 30g (1 oz) is sufficient for a portion. Selenium B12/Iodine It is important to include a brazil nut or 100g Consuming the recommended amounts of RAINBOWRAINBOW FOODSFOODS (3½ oz) sunflower seeds a day to ensure a fortified soya milk will contribute towards good selenium intake.