Monday, August 24, 2009

Vegan Prisoners Win Right to Buy Ethical Cosmetics and Food in Jail

MAIL ONLINE: Vegan prisoners have won the right to have ethically-sourced cosmetics including nail polish, lip balm and cellulite oil in jail.

They will also be able to tuck into a variety of nuts after prison bosses allowed them to order directly from two new 'eco outlets'.

Vegans, who refuse to eat meat or dairy products, had been pressing for at least one Brazil nut a day in their rations to boost their immune systems.

It is the latest in a series of rulings to protect convicts' rights and ensure equality among different faiths and comes months after similar concessions for pagans.

Prison bosses were told in May to let pagan inmates collect and keep twigs in their cells to use as wands during their rituals.

Strict vegans will refuse to eat any food, wear any clothes or use any product that involves the use of animals.

This means normal sun-screen, prison-issue boots and canteen food are all against their beliefs.

From today, the estimated 500 vegan prisoners in UK prisons, will be able to order products from Holland and Barrett - which sells a wide variety of nuts.

They will also be allowed to buy a range of ethical products, including make-up, shower gels, lib [sic] balm, cellulite oil and facial scrubs from Honesty Cosmetics.

Orders can also be placed with the firm Lavera which supplies cruelty-free sun cream, aftersun, self-tanning lotion and anti-ageing creams. >>> | Monday, August 24, 2009