Abstract
Adequate nutrition in prisons should constantly be monitored due to the limited possibilities of external control as well as the low catering budget for prison meals and poorly defined requirements in this regard. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional value of meals served in Polish prisons. Using a computer program, 14-day regular and bland diets from 30 prisons were analyzed. The energy value of the meals and the percentage of energy provided by protein, fat, and carbohydrate contained therein were found to meet the recommendations of the Polish National Food and Nutrition Institute. The amount of minerals supplied with the diet did not cover the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) in the case of calcium and magnesium. Particularly disturbing was the excessive supply of sodium in the regular and bland diets, which covered 537% and 311% of the dietary reference intake (DRI), respectively, as well as phosphorus (194 and 192% of RDA). The largest vitamin deficiencies were recorded for vitamins D and C and folate. An especially excessive supply was observed for vitamins A and B12. The type of diet significantly differentiated the average content of over half of the analyzed components, whereas the season of the year turned out to be statistically insignificant. The results of the present investigations indicate a need for development of more accurate legal provisions to regulate the nutrition in Polish prisons in terms of not only the energy value and macronutrient supply but also the intake of minerals and vitamins.
Highlights
In Poland, there are currently 130 independent prisons with a total of 74,696 inmates [1].One of the basic rights granted to imprisoned subjects in Poland is the right to adequate nutrition corresponding to the health status [2]
The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional value of meals served in some Polish prisons, and to compare the obtained values to the dietary reference intake standards
Inmates in 24 of the analyzed prisons complained about the quality of nutrition
Summary
In Poland, there are currently 130 independent prisons with a total of 74,696 inmates (data from 08.12.2019) [1]. One of the basic rights granted to imprisoned subjects in Poland is the right to adequate nutrition corresponding to the health status [2]. Polish prisons serve regular diet, diets for juveniles under. 18 years of age, therapeutic diets (bland, diabetic, individual-adjusted), extra meals for prisoners working in arduous conditions, and meals adjusted to religious and cultural requirements. Each meal is complemented with a beverage, i.e., potable water, tea, or cereal coffee. The energy value of meals should not be lower than 2600 kcal or 2800 kcal in the case of detained juveniles, and 10–15% of energy should come from protein, less than 30% from fat, and 50–65% from carbohydrate. The quantitative content of vegetables and fruits (not including potatoes) should be at least 300 g per day [3]
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