Jail tuck shops to offer Hollywood smiles and fake tan

Irish prisoners, including their latest addition, John Dundon, will soon be wearing “Hollywood smiles”, sporting fake tans and smoking Hamlet cigars after retail giant BWG scooped a multimillion-euro contract to supply tuck shops across Irish prisons.

The Prison Service confirmed yesterday that Dublin-based BWG Foodservices has won the contract to supply the tuck shops across the nine prison campuses and prisons.

The business is lucrative — last year, one tuck shop at Mountjoy prison recorded revenue of €1.22m, with profits of €124,682.

The Irish prison population is currently 4,111-strong, and the list of products that BWG is contracted to supply is exhaustive.

As part of the deal, BWG, which operates the Spar and Mace franchises, is to supply the shops with Rimmel false tan, eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara. Prisoners will also be able to buy “Pearl Drops — Hollywood Smile” and an array of other dental products.

Those seeking to look and feel their best will be able to buy Vaseline cocoa body gel and Dove softening silk body wash, Wella Shockwaves Strong Wet Gel, and Brylcream Wet Look Gel and Wax. And, in case there is a repeat of last month’s heatwave, prisoners can buy Nivea sun cream.

Inmates who enjoy their cigars will be happy to see that Hamlet and Corona cigars are on the list that features all of the major brands of cigarettes, such as Silk Cut, Marlboro, Carrolls, and Rothmans.

Prisoners with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed either, with the rich selection of chocolates and cakes on the list, including boxes of Cadbury’s Milk Tray.

The most popular item amongst prisoners is the 12.5g Amber Leaf tobacco, with the prison service projecting total sales just under €500,000.

No money exchanges hands between the prison officers manning the hatch at the shops and prisoners, with all transactions done on account.