Mr Bacon, a member of the committee, said: “Porridge is healthy, nutritious and provides a steady release of energy throughout the day. It is an excellent, balanced British breakfast. Porridge helps lower cholesterol. It is low in fat, low in salt, and high in soluble fibre. Porridge even helps the brain to produce serotonin, which lifts the spirits and reduces the appetite. Porridge is possibly the perfect food”.

“Given that porridge has so many clear benefits, it is wrong that so few prisons make porridge available to inmates.  All prisoners should have the choice to eat porridge every day”.

18 July 2006