The Prison Nourish Project: Food in the Lives of HIV-Positive Prisoners

• In Event: Eating Humble Pie: Using Prison Food Narratives to Understand Incarceration

Abstract

Approximately 22,000 US prisoners (1.4%) are known to be HIV positive. This project analyzes experiences of this population with food while incarcerated to build knowledge about prison life and the impact of confinement on health and psycho-social outcomes. Two data collection strategies were employed. First, interviews were conducted with 20 incarcerated and formerly incarcerated HIV-positive people about prison food to better understand identity, relationships, and place. Second, existing medical records were analyzed to measure the prevalence of overweight among incarcerated people living with HIV and weight fluctuation during incarceration. The majority of U.S. adults, including those living with HIV, are overweight and this co-morbidity may interfere with long-term health. Qualitative findings are highlighted. Participants experienced little stigma related to HIV status. These findings suggest a marked change from the beginning of the epidemic when the HIV status of prisoners was under-protected and the population was highly stigmatized. Participants did describe social exclusion related to other identities, most commonly being gay or transgender. Eating alone was a primary way in which this exclusion was enacted. Participants also described a defensive approach to their health, focused on healthy eating, because of their HIV status.

Author

• Amy Brooks Smoyer, Southern Connecticut State University