Feeding Justice: Rethinking Rehabilitation through Food in Prisons in England and Wales

• In Event: Prison Working Group: Social work in prison and innovative approaches to rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: The significance of food in correctional settings extends beyond basic nutrition, touching upon dimensions of well-being, inmate autonomy and rehabilitative outcomes. Despite acknowledged importance, investigations into prisoners’ food experiences, especially within a European context, are limited. This study addresses this gap with a secondary data analysis of the HM Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales (HMIP) survey data spanning over two decades. It aims to explore the dynamics of food provision and its implications for inmate rehabilitation. It also addresses the broader social and cultural significance of food in prison.
Results: The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the prison food landscape across all of England and Wales for over twenty years and reveals an interesting interplay between food quality, the level of care provided by the institution and the nature of the relationship within prisons. The study’s extensive temporal and geographical coverage allows for a unique exploration of trends, variances and consistencies in inmates’ food-related experiences and perceptions across different facilities. Hypotheses suggest that disparities in food satisfaction could significantly influence inmates’ perceptions of their environment and potentially affect both their day-to-day experiences and their rehabilitation process. Variances across different facilities in England and Wales offer insights into the broader implications of prison food on inmate-wellbeing and institutional dynamics.
Conclusions: Overall, the study aims to contribute to a more profound understanding of how food practices in prisons relate to broader criminological and rehabilitative themes. The exploration identifies key areas where food provision intersects with cultural identity, social bonding and coping strategies within the constrained prison environment. It highlights the potential for prison food policy reforms to prioritise dietary quality, cultural sensitivity and the integration of food-related rehabilitative programmes.

Author

• Kim Reising, University of Lincoln