Rationales for Public Support of Prison Nutrition Standards

Overseen By Carolyn Chelius, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Residing outside US

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how various reasons for improving prison food standards affect public support. Participants will encounter different policy rationales, such as public safety, right-to-health, and cost-saving, to determine which garners more support. The trial also examines how personal demographics might influence opinions on the topic. It suits U.S. residents who can read and speak English and have internet access to complete an online survey. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding public opinion on important social issues.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this experiment is safe?

This trial aims to understand perceptions of improving food quality in prisons. It does not involve testing a medical treatment, so the usual safety tests are unnecessary. Instead, the trial explores responses to three reasons for better prison food: public safety, the right to health, and cost savings.

Research has shown that poor nutrition in prisons can lead to health problems and even increase violence, highlighting the importance of the right-to-health and public safety reasons. The cost-saving reason examines how better food might save money over time by reducing health issues.

These reasons are concepts, not medical treatments, so there are no safety concerns. Participants do not need to worry about side effects or negative reactions in this study. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores different rationales to foster public support for improved prison nutrition standards. Unlike traditional approaches, which might not focus specifically on public perception, this trial examines three unique rationales: public safety, right-to-health, and cost-saving. By understanding which arguments resonate most with the public, this trial could lead to more effective advocacy strategies and potential policy changes that improve the health and well-being of incarcerated individuals. The innovative approach of targeting public perception itself, rather than focusing solely on direct nutritional changes, sets this trial apart and could have broader implications for social justice and public health policy.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving public support for prison nutrition standards?

This trial will explore various rationales for public support of prison nutrition standards. Studies have shown that improving prison food can enhance inmates' overall health and eating habits. The trial includes a public safety rationale, suggesting that better nutrition might reduce negative behaviors, thereby making prisons safer. From a cost perspective, the trial will examine how improved nutrition could lower healthcare expenses in prisons by preventing diet-related health problems. The right-to-health rationale emphasizes that providing better food is a human right and can prevent long-term diseases. These findings support the notion that improving prison food offers multiple benefits. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Carolyn Chelius, MS

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy individuals interested in participating in a study about public opinion on prison nutrition standards. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, suggesting that the study may be open to a broad adult population.

Inclusion Criteria

Report residing in the US

Have internet access to complete the online survey

Exclusion Criteria

Residing outside the US

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Survey

Participants complete an online survey where they are exposed to different policy rationales and asked about their support for prison nutrition standards

15 minutes

1 visit (online)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any additional feedback or responses after completing the survey

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Public Support for Prison Nutrition Standards

Trial Overview The trial is testing how different reasons given for improving prison nutrition (public safety, right-to-health, cost-saving) affect public support compared to not giving any reason at all. It also looks into how participant demographics might influence their opinions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Right-to-health rationale Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Public safety rationale Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group III: No rationale (Control) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group IV: Cost-saving rationale Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

Stanford University

Collaborator

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-healthy-subjects-hs-2-2025-b4728

Rationales for Public Support of Prison Nutrition Standards Research shows that improving nutrition in prisons can lead to better health outcomes for inmates, such as improved general health and nutrition practices.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9757498/

Nutrition availability for those incarcerated in jail The Eighth Amendment prohibits jail staff from denying food to individuals who are incarcerated and from serving nutritionally inadequate food ...

3. impactjustice.org impactjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/IJ-Eating-Behind-Bars.pdf

Ending the Hidden Punishment of Food in Prison In our survey, more than four out of five formerly incarcerated people reported that they never had any choice or input regarding the food on their meal trays, ...

4. sites.brown.edu sites.brown.edu/publichealthjournal/2023/05/02/beyond-the-food-how-prison-nutrition-policy-contributes-to-lasting-chronic-disease/

Beyond the Food: How Prison Nutrition Policy Contributes ... The main benefit of these public assistance programs pertains to accessing low-cost meals, of essential importance to the 91 percent of ...

5. prisonpolicy.org prisonpolicy.org/blog/2017/03/03/prison-food/

Food for thought: Prison food is a public health problem Food costs are also dwarfed by healthcare costs in prisons, so improving the nutritional quality of prison food would be a cost-effective way ...

6. sanquentinnews.com sanquentinnews.com/growing-research-shows-impact-of-poor-nutrition-on-prison-violence/

Growing research shows impact of poor nutrition on prison ... Emerging research shows that the poor nutrition common in prison diets can lead to increased incidences of violence and mental health problems.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10273849/

Calories, commerce, and culture: The multiple valuations of ... This article employs a tripartite conceptual framework for contemplating and demarcating food's different valuations in prison.

8. vera.org vera.org/news/cheap-jail-and-prison-food-is-making-people-sick-it-doesnt-have-to

Cheap Jail and Prison Food Is Making People Sick. It ... Penny-pinching on food services fleeces incarcerated people and their families and has adverse health impacts, all while lining the pockets of corporations.