Insights into Prison Food and Identity in the Balkans

Explore the relationship between prison food and identity in the Balkans, focusing on nutritional guidelines, means of obtaining food in prisons, and how food can be an expression of one's identity. Delve into specific examples from Croatia and the Republic of Srpska with detailed menus for a week. Gain insights into the prison systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia to understand the context of food provision within the region.

• Balkans
• Prison Food
• Identity
• Nutritional Guidelines
• Incarceration

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1. Food in Prison, Brussels, Belgium Date: 21st September 2018 Prison Food and the (Re-)construction of Identity: Examples from the Balkans Students: Tia Simanovic, University of Strathclyde, School of Social Work and Social Policy; Masa Gosev, XV Gymnasium, Zagreb Contact: tia.simanovic@strath.ac.uk

2. Content: Overview of the Balkan prison systems Nutritional guidelines Additional means of getting/buying food in prisons Expression of identity through food Conclusion

4. Overview of Prison Systems in the Balkans BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA* 3,507,017 (2017) (2,350,000 + 1,300,000) 13 (7 + 6) Category CROATIA SERBIA TOTAL POPULATION 4,189,353 (2017) 7,010,000 (2017) No of Establishments 23 (2016) 30 (2017) Prison Population Total (incl. pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners) 2,585 (1,722 + 863) (12/2014) (12/2017) 3,190 (1/2018) 10,807 (1/2018) Prison Population Rate (per 100,000 of national population) 73 (FBiH) (12/2014) 66 (RS) (12/2017) 78 152 (mid-2017) (9/2016) Occupancy Level (based on official capacity) 102.1% (FBiH) (12/2013) 57.8% (RS) (12/2017) 79.3% (1/2018) 109.2% (1/2018)

5. Nutritional Guidelines Menus created according to the Ministry s guidelines Each meal tasted by the warden or another authorized person before serving Observations kept on a special record Minimum ~3,000 calories of food served; three meals a day Sentenced prisoners can apply for food benefits

6. Menu for One Week - Croatia Source: Ministry of Justice of Republic of Croatia (08/2018)

7. Menu for One Week - RS Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Breakfast Salami, margarine, tea Boiled hot dogs, boiled eggs, mustard, tea Sunny side up, cheese, tea Sardines, onion, tea Sausage, mustard, tea Sunny side up, cheese, tea Margarine, jam, tea Lunch Oven- baked chicken, beans, rice Soup, mousakka, salad Beans stew with bacon, salad Goulash, macaroni, salad Fried fish, potato, salad, strudel Beans stew with bacon, salad Soup, mashed potatoes, meat balls in tomato sauce, salad Dinner Sunny side up Macaroni with cheese Polenta, yoghurt Sunny side up Spaghetti bolognese French toast, cheese, yoghurt Pate, fruit Source: Ministry of Justice of Serb Republic, BIH (09/2018)

8. Meaning of Food in Prison Food as means to satiate biological needs No psychological satisfaction from eating Complaints on the quantity and presentation of food Bland in taste and texture, of questionable temperature, insubstantial A variety of menus available Regular; dietary; for certain medical conditions

9. Prison Farms Croatia: Since 2004, cultivation of fruit, vegetables, and animals on prison ground Possibility of acquiring a qualification (e.g. beekeeping, shepherd) Serbia: Prison farms one of the most wanted job positions Bosnia: Prison gardens learning opportunities and preparation for life after prison Prison Bakeries

10. Farmed Products in Croatian Prisons Source: Croatian Government Report on prisons, 2017

11. Prison Supermarkets A variety of food available (candy; meat, milk, and dairy products; fruit) very high prices The choice of suppliers is tied to prison management Trading business among prisoners Possibility of ordering special food (e.g., lactose-free, gluten-free) Items can be bought in person, or delivered to the cell

12. Food Packages Croatia: Once a month and for holidays, unless a prisoner applies for benefits NO food allowed Serbia: Food can be sent to prisoners or brought during visitations Some items are forbidden (e.g. Chicken) Differentiation of wealth Items from the packages used as currency and to gain status Bosnia: Similar restrictions Weight of package must not supersede eight kg Only one kilogram per fruit type One kilogram of coffee allowed and 50 packs of cigarettes (one kilogram)

13. Coffee and Cigarettes Coffee as a pillar-stone of Balkan culture Social ritual indicating acceptance to a social group Belonging, but also an offer for a sexual relationship Means of reiterating prisoner subculture Currency; indicator of a social status Cigarettes used as currency for other illegal substances or services Cartons used for smuggling other goods

14. (Re-)gaining Identity in Prison Serbia: Making spreads (salads) Onions, pepper, mayo, ketchup, Vegeta seasoning + any leftovers available Making cakes and sweets Croatia: Gablec Food Packages Coffee and Cigarettes

15. Conclusion Very scarce academic research on the topic Regional similarities in the official nutritional guidelines Differences in practice Additional means of acquiring food in prison Normalcy and preparation for future life Expression of wealth and status Could differences be attributed to the system?

16. Thank you for your attention!

17. References: Babi , V., Josipovi , M., and Toma evi , G. (2006). Hrvatski zatvorski sustav i za tita ljudskih prava zatvorenika. Hrvatski ljetopis za kazneno pravo i praksu, 13(2/2006):685-743. Government of Republic of Croatia (2017). Izvje e o Stanju i Radu Kaznionica, Zatvora i Odgojnih Zavoda za 2016. Godinu. Available at: https://pravosudje.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/Pravo%20na%20pristup%20inf ormacijama/Registri%20i%20baze%20podataka/Izvjesce%20o%20stanju%20i%20rad u%20kaznionica%20zatvora%20i%20odgojnih%20zavoda%20za%202016.pdf Ministry of Justice (2011). Pravilnik o Ku nom Redu u Zatvorima za Izvr avanje Istra nog Zatvora. Available at: http://www.propisi.hr/print.php?id=9967 oher, L. (2016). Caloric Value and Nutritional Composition Assessment of Menus in Lepoglava Penitentiary. Graduate Thesis. Osijek: Faculty of Food Technology. padijer-D ini , J., Pavi evi , O., and Simeunovi -Pati , B. (2009). Women in Prison Deprivations of Prison Life. Sociologija, LI(3):225-246. Vlahovi , S. and Galovi , R. (2012). Izvr avanjeIstra nog Zatvora: normativni okvir i praksa u svjetlu za tite temeljnih ljudskih prava. Pravnik: asopis za pravna i dru tvena pitanja, 47(94):37-58.

18. Vegetarian Menu for One Week - Croatia Source: Ministry of Justice of Republic of Croatia (08/2018)