Brute moans at jail rip-off’ on mackerel

A CHILD rapist has complained of being “ripped off” when he buys olive oil and tins of mackerel in jail – after conducting a price comparison survey from his cell.

Adam Marchment, serving ten years for raping a girl of 15, said he was sick of paying higher prices than on the outside.

He carried out research from his cell at HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight, getting a family member to check prices online and at major stores.

Marchment then compared the prices with those on the Prison Service “canteen list” which is supplied by logistics firm DHL.

Writing in this week’s edition of prisoners’ magazine Inside Time, he grumbles: “I am really starting to get frustrated by Prison Service responses to the many prisoners complaining about our privatised, over-priced canteen system.”

Coffee

Marchment, 26, who is on the sex offender register indefinitely, challenged assurances by prison chiefs that they are not allowed to charge more than the market recommended retail price, or RRP.

He claimed the website of tinned food firm Princes lists the RRP of its mackerel fillets in tomato sauce at £1.45, adding: “DHL sell them to us for £1.75.”

And he went on: “I also had a comparison website checked and none of the top supermarkets had the same item at over £1.40.

“In fact at most supermarkets you can get 4 tins for £5.

“A bag of Nescafe coffee original 150g is £2.99, yet DHL sells this item to us for £3.99.

“Extra virgin olive oil is £1.99 for 500ml, but DHL sell us 250ml for the same price.”

He added: “DHL rip us off and are getting away with it.”

A Prison Service spokesman said they were not permitted to charge above RRP but added they were “mindful” of giving the taxpayer value for money.

He said: “Public sector prisons must operate a cost-neutral contract, at no cost to the public.”