Prison food was very drab and monotonous. Prisoners lived on a diet of oatmeal gruel, bread and potatoes.
INGREDIENTS OF GRUEL AND SCOUCE.
NOTE.- The Gruel, when made in quantities exceeding 50 pints, to contain 11/2 oz. of Oatmeal per pint; and 2 oz. per pint when made in less quantities. The Scouce to be made of Beef, cut in small pieces, and Potatoes, - the proportions of 9 lbs. weight of Beef to 90 lbs. weight of Potatoes.
(Ruthin County Gaol Dietaries, circa 1850.)
Meat was scarce and different categories of prisoner were "prescribed" different "rates of diet". Prisoners confined for long periods were given more food than those with shorter sentences as a better fed prisoner was less likely to be ill. Sick prisoners were both costly and unproductive. Male and female prisoners sentenced by a court to solitary confinement received "the ordinary diet of their class".
(Denbighshire Quarter Sessions Record, 1851.)
