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Nutrition availability for those incarcerated in jail: Implications for mental health

Katherine Mommaerts (Department of Social Work, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Nanette V. Lopez (Department of Health Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Carolyn Camplain (Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Chesleigh Keene (Department of Educational Psychology and the Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Ashley Marie Hale (Department of Psychology, Coconino Community College, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Ricky Camplain (Department of Health Sciences and the Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)

International Journal of Prisoner Health

ISSN: 1744-9200

Article publication date: 4 August 2022

Issue publication date: 5 September 2023

199

Abstract

Purpose

Using a seven-day cycle menu and commissary items at a rural county jail, this study aims to describe provisions of micronutrients known to be associated with mental health disorders and if they meet dietary guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

The nutritional content of a seven-day cycle menu and four available commissary food packs were evaluated using NutritionCalc® Plus software (McGraw-Hill Education version 5.0.19) and compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI).

Findings

Menu mean values of Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C and zinc met DRI recommendations. However, Vitamin D (for men and women), magnesium (for men only) and omega-3s (for men only) did not meet the DRI recommendations.

Originality/value

As deficits of Vitamin D, magnesium and omega-3s are known to exacerbate bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression, small changes to food would increase the offerings and potential intake of nutrients that may improve mental health.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank jail staff and administration for providing data. The authors would also like to thank Julianne Brauer, Gabrielle Delio, Bonnie Kuss, Rachelle Phillips and Ary Spilkin for thoughtful contributions to the data entry and interpretation.

Funding: Research support was provided by the northern arizona university’s college of health and human services 2019-20 research/creativity seed grant program and sherc northern arizona southwest health equity research collaborative (NIH/NIHMD U54, Grant # NIHU54MD012388).

Citation

Mommaerts, K., Lopez, N.V., Camplain, C., Keene, C., Hale, A.M. and Camplain, R. (2023), "Nutrition availability for those incarcerated in jail: Implications for mental health", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 350-362. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-02-2022-0009

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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