Impacts of Poor Nutrition while in Jail

Many chronic health conditions can be linked to unhealthy lifestyles. Inmates however are further disadvantaged because of poor food options while incarcerated. Even if they want to live a healthy lifestyle, they are often limited by food packed with refined carbohydrates, lacking nutrients and rotating through the same scheduled meals.

Impact of Food on Disease

From heart disease, to stroke, hypertension and type 2 diabetes–they all are directly linked to poor nutrition. And across the U.S. in general, cardiac and metabolic diseases are among the highest causes of death.

When sodium, sugary beverages and processed or red meats are decreased, and there is an increase in omega-3’s and nuts/seeds, health in general improves and disease risks drops. This is also true for rates of obesity, cancer and even ADHD.

For the incarcerated population specifically, here are some approximate disease rates across inmates.

Hypertension: 33.3%
Diabetes: 7.2%
- Almost twice as many as the general population
Heart Problems: 10%
- Almost 10 times more than the general population
ADHD: 25%
- About 5 times as much as the general population
Psychological Distress: 25%

This data shows that inmates have many of the highest mortality condition, or have higher rates of these deadly conditions.

Nutritional Policy Impacts

Even though food can have such a direct impact on health, the blame does not lie with facilities alone. Poor food choices, nutrition and availability is also affected by policies. For example, slow adjustments to account for rising food prices or updated nutritional guidelines.

There is an accreditation program offered to facilities for nutrition and food standards, but the accreditation is only voluntary. Even if facilities participate in this accreditation, the standards are less than optimal.

Inmates are supposed to have 20 minutes to eat each meal.
Meals should be spaced no more than 14 hours apart. Which contradicts standard guidance for the general population of about 4 hours apart.
The process does require facilities to have a nutritionist, but often the nutritionist is thought to be focused more on meeting calorie and nutrient counts than providing quality food choices. Some saying this is accomplished by “tubs of margarine and fortified mineral powders and supplements.“

Estimates range on how much is spent on food for each inmate on a daily basis, with some saying less than $1.20 per day, and others maybe just under $3 per day. For the non-incarcerated 30-year old male on a “thrifty” food plan, the USDA estimates that $10 per day is needed.

There are also few requirements on what constitutes enough food, or the right food for an inmate unfortunately. The Bureau of Prisons’ main requirement is that “Inmates will be provided with nutritionally adequate meals, prepared and served in a manner that meets established Government health and safety codes.” There is also no mandate pertaining to the cost of a meal, or minimum calories.

Poor Quality and Low Nutrition

Studies, investigations, research and inmate testimonies have repeatedly demonstrated how poor the food quality is.

Reports from inmates indicate that meals simply do not taste good (89%), look unappetizing (91%), many strongly suspected they were served spoiled or rotten food (75%) and most said they could not eat enough to be full (94%). This frequently leads to food insecurity issues and even causes trauma-induced eating behaviors.

Beyond preferences or appearances though, a study also showed missing nutrients across a week of meals that may affect mental health outcomes as well. Specifically Vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3’s.

Ignoring Dietary Guidelines

The USDA publishes dietary guidelines and encourages the American public to balance their meals in accordance with MyPlate. This program replaces the food pyramid, and encourages each meal to have a plate that is:

Approximately half filled with fruits and vegetables. Focusing on whole fruits and varying up your veggies.
Another half split between grains and proteins. This should be whole grains, and the proteins should be varied.
Small or limited portions of dairy and fortified soy alternatives, with a preference for low-fat or fat-free dairy milk and yogurt.
And in general, limiting your intake of food and beverages with added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.

However, on numerous occasions research has shown that these are not the foods being fed to inmates. Nor are the same dietary requirements being met. During COVID, the lack of food and availability of when it was served was even worse according to many inmates and a few federal complaints.

Many inmates report that they rarely see fresh fruits or vegetables, and that the portion sizes are too small. This leads many to rely on being able to buy food from the commissary or canteen–which can also be lacking in nutrients.

Even worse is the fact that in recent studies it was found that three out of every 5 inmates was unable to afford commissary, which could supplement these meals. And of those who could afford it, they spend an average $947 per year–which is well beyond the average prison earnings that are between $180 and $660 per year.

Attempts for Change

Many facilities cite budgetary pressure and needing to cut costs when pushed on the issue of poor food quality. Some explaining that they look for “deals” or for products that were rejected by restaurants or grocery chains.

For example, getting discounted meat patties because a restaurant rejected them due to being too thin. Officials say it is in an effort to provide more variety, but it is worrisome that the food an inmate receives is not necessarily deemed to be “good enough” for the general public. Countless claims have been brought against facilities such as one where two inmates contend that they were served food from a box labeled “not for human consumption“.

Other federal challenges have failed because they are subject to the Eighth Amendment. This is the Amendment that states they must not deprive inmates of basic necessities to sustain life. This has meant that a “two meal policy” was acceptable, and being fed once only every 18-hours only inflicted mental harm, but was not an Eighth Amendment violation.

Clearly nutrition standards and quality are an issue in both jails and prison systems. And it goes far beyond just “taste” or “preferences”. Continuing to have poor food quality could, and likely already has, led to poor health outcomes for the incarcerated.

If you or a loved one has experienced food insecurity or poor nutrition and suffered severe health consequences while in jail as a result, consider reaching out to one of our experienced attorneys to see if we can help.

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