Nutrition Effects on Health and Recidivism in the American Prison Complex

Abstract

If food in prison was made more nutritious, would health outcomes improve, and recidivism be reduced? Using the Virginia State Department of corrections as my population, I explore this question in three parts; the existing empirical evidence, the political feasibility through a budget analysis, and the moral argument that treatment of inmates should be humane. Background literature from sociology, psychology, criminology, health science, environmental science, and public policy will be analyzed closely to create an argument on existing empirical data. [From introductory section]