At the beginning of the week, a group of inmates at the high-security Hall prison began a strike and are refusing to eat. The reason is dissatisfaction with the size of the food portions.

When lunch was served on Monday, disturbances broke out among the inmates in one of the wards. They were then locked in their cells, after which a strike erupted.

By Wednesday, the hunger strike was still ongoing and the inmates continued to refuse the food served at lunch and dinner. They also remained locked in their cells.

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According to prison director Johan Molinder, the inmates have demanded larger food portions. However, they have not entirely refused to eat, as bread and other items have been brought to their cells.

– It’s the packaged meals they are not eating. We have control over the situation, and there is no risk that anyone will not get the nutrition required, Molinder told TV4.

Dining hall at a correctional facility. Photo: Swedish Prison and Probation Service

Longstanding Dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction with the food is far from new at Hall. Last year, an inmate filed an official complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman, unhappy with the small portion sizes and insufficient nutrition. Another complaint was filed in January.

According to Johan Molinder, the facility abides by the Swedish National Food Agency’s standards and the inmates are provided with the required food.

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