If the connection between the gut and brain is real, then the diets provided to inmates should absolutely be re-evaluated. A person’s diet has a profound effect on mental health, clarity, and overall well-being. Yet, if you access the food options on sites like Access Securepak, you’ll see a shocking lack of healthy choices for incarcerated individuals. Families can send weekly packages through these services, but the prices are sky-high, and the quality of options is distressing, with most products loaded with sugar, salt, and artificial ingredients. Nothing remotely aligns with a balanced, clean diet.
As someone who prepares nearly every meal from scratch, using whole, unprocessed foods, it’s painful to think that anyone’s loved one is limited to consuming this “food” — literal junk. How can we expect incarcerated individuals to change their lives, think clearly, and engage in meaningful rehabilitation if they’re primarily consuming nutrient-poor, processed foods?
In the U.S., families already struggle to buy groceries in a world where prices are constantly rising. Adding the burden of trying to support a loved one in prison — often through unhealthy, overpriced items — is more than many can handle. And for those who believe inmates “only deserve bread and water,” it’s important to note that even bread can be filled with preservatives and additives. This isn’t about luxury; it’s about giving people the foundation to heal, grow, and rehabilitate, especially if we truly hope for them to re-enter society as healthier individuals.
Improving the quality of food available in prisons could open the door to real change. Clean, nourishing foods are the cornerstone of mental and physical health. Diets filled with whole grains, fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help reduce inflammation, boost cognitive function, and improve mood. For inmates, clean eating could be a gateway to better choices across the board, leading to interest in physical fitness, personal growth, and trades training. Providing these options aligns with the goals of a justice system that rehabilitates rather than merely punishes.
Many people behind bars are not “monsters”; they’re individuals who, for various reasons, made poor choices or lacked the support and resources needed to thrive. They’re people — and many have family members who care deeply and want to see them thrive. Starting with better food programs in prisons is a small but crucial first step toward creating a meaningful path for rehabilitation.