Written question asked by Baroness Greenfield (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) on Thursday, 9 February 2006.

Young Offenders: Diet

Question: What assessment they have made of research supported by the charity Natural Justice on the impact of a diet with supplements containing omega 3 fish oils, vitamins and minerals on offending rates in young offender institutions; and whether there are any plans to incorporate these findings into guidelines for dietary requirements for the prison population.

Answer: The Natural Justice study in 1996 at HMYOI Aylesbury on the effects of supplements on the number of adjudications in a prison has been reviewed by the Home Office’s Research, Development and Statistics (RDS) Directorate. RDS reviewed the report when originally published in 2002 and more recently when Natural Justice contacted the Home Office about conducting further research. The Home Office concluded that, while the results showed a positive effect on behaviour, the numbers involved were too small to make the drawing of wider conclusions possible. Although the Prison Service has a long-standing commitment offering access to Natural Justice for further research on this issue—subject to operational, ethical and methodological considerations being met—additional evidence is needed to warrant a major change to prisoners’ diet as suggested. In addition, the Prison Service has made significant steps in achieving its objective for all establishments to offer a range of foods and meals that enable prisoners to make healthy eating choices.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3875; 678 c124WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Young Offenders: Diet
Monday, 6 March 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Diets Dietary supplements Prisoners Minerals Young offenders Research Vitamins
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk