Food in correctional facilities: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• There has been a significant increase in research on food within correctional facilities over the past two decades.
• Existing knowledge requires synthesis to identify research gaps and inform future studies.
• Understanding the experiences of incarcerated individuals with food is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of research on food in correctional settings.
• To map and synthesize existing knowledge on prison food practices.
• To identify implications of food practices on medical, psychological, and sociological outcomes for justice-involved individuals.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology was employed.
• 38 peer-reviewed research articles on prison food were identified and analyzed.
• Both qualitative and quantitative studies exploring pragmatic and symbolic dimensions of food were included.

Main Results:

• The reviewed literature provides a comprehensive overview of prison food practices.
• Research highlights the impact of these practices on the medical, psychological, and sociological well-being of inmates.
• The majority of studies focus on the United States, Canada, and Western Europe.

Conclusions:

• Collaboration among academics, incarcerated individuals, and correctional practitioners is recommended to develop evidence-based programs.
• Future research should expand its geographic scope beyond North America and Western Europe.
• Further investigation into prison food's role in promoting positive outcomes for justice-involved individuals and institutions is warranted.