An activist who was jailed for three weeks for throwing an egg at Financial Secretary John Tsang has complained that the meal allocation system in prison is racist.
Derek Chan of the League of Social Democrats said he was served smaller Chinese-style meals instead of hearty Western portions just because of the colour of his skin.
He was detained at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre between April 29 and May 2, and at Tong Fuk Correctional Institution from May 2 to 19, according to the SCMP.
In an official document submitted to the High Court, Chan said the meal system was unconstitutional and unlawful.
He claimed “yellow”-skinned inmates received rice and meat for breakfast, compared to cheese, jam, butter, toast and milk tea for “white or black” inmates.
For lunch he was served congee and beans, Chinese tea and bread, while the foreigners got a hamburger, veggies, a boiled egg, toast, potatoes and milk tea.
For dinner, Chan says he got vegetables and meat, chicken wings and fried fish with bones.
The Westerners, however, got a boneless fried fish steak, pork, chicken wings, (another) hamburger (more) potatoes, baked beans(!), bread, butter, jam, and milk tea.
Jeez. We’re pretty sure the Western diet was designed by an American. No offence, fatties.
“Sometimes the Western diet would provide deep-fried chicken wings, which were not available in the Chinese diet. The portion for the Western diet was also larger,” Chan wrote in his complaint.
However, the Correctional Services Department has responded by saying all prison meals have been approved by dieticians and are in line with the requirement to provide “simple and wholesome” food to inmates.
They also said inmates can change to a choice of 29 meal types if they apply through the proper channels.
Who’s betting juice cleanse and paleo are on that list somewhere?
Photo: Rod Herrea
Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co.
