Eating in or breaking out?
The Oxford University Amnesty International Group welcomes any research geared towards improving the health and well-being of prisoners, who are often vulnerable to human rights abuses. OUAI has worked on a number of campaigns fighting against human rights abuses in prisons across the world.
Although Amnesty focuses primarily on cases of human rights abuse, it also cherishes the human rights currently enjoyed by people all over the world, encourages the responsible maintenance of international standards, and welcomes any new developments toward the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide. Thus, at OUAI we will be very interested to hear the results of Dr Gesch’s applied research.
My own work with a local NGO in a South African prison over the break strengthened my personal belief that the prison system must do more to prevent ex-inmates from re-offending. While most people are content to have criminals incarcerated to punish them for their crimes, many do not consider that, in the vast majority of cases, the people going into prison will be coming back to society. It is not simply a question of rehabilitation.
That is undoubtedly a fundamental part of the justice process. However, the standard of life for offenders within prisons is also an essential factor in determining the overall success of the way the justice system in the UK works. Human rights of prisoners, then, are just as important for regular members of society as they are for the prisoners themselves.
Prisoners must be treated humanely and with respect; their health and well-being is of paramount importance if society wishes to see them accept responsibility for their crimes and build positive, crime-free futures. I believe the prison system has an obligation to ensure that the people it is releasing back into society are more self-aware and responsible than they were when they were removed from society.
Of course, a large part of this is concerned with physical and mental health, both of which can be affected by diet, as the plethora of healthy-eating TV programs, books and studies have shown. Dr Gesch’s previous research at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institute suggested that a healthier diet could significantly reduce anti-social and violent behaviour in prisons.
This study will be of vital importance; if prison violations can be reduced inside the prison as part of a holistic approach towards health and well-being, then it is possible that rates of reoffending will fall as well. As Emma Noble comments, changes in behaviour have been noted among school-children who participate in the Food for Life project, and Pam Rodway confirms that there is a link between diet and behaviour.
Dr Gesch’s study will take an important look into the possibility of using evidence from Food for Life and other groups to tackle and resolve behavioural issues of inmates. Amnesty International works to improve human rights standards around the world, by publicising human rights abuses and putting pressure on governments to adhere to international standards. Human rights in prisons are essential in terms of the progressive functioning of prisons in the UK.
The Oxford University chapter of Amnesty International meets every Thursday for letter-writing lunches in Exeter College’s Stapeldon Room from 1 to 2pm.
4th May 2006