NCJ Number
55656
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THIS STATUS REPORT ON NUTRITION AND PROBATION IS THE PRODUCT OF A NEW JERSEY PROBATION ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PAMS) PROJECT TO EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITION AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
THE STATUS REPORT OUTLINES THE WORK THAT PAMS STAFF HAS DONE, DESCRIBES THE NUTRITION PROGRAMS OF OTHER HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES, AND IDENTIFIES POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR PROBATION SERVICES THAT FOLLOW FROM THE RESEARCH. A REVIEW OF LITERATURE SUGGEST THAT IMPROVED NUTRITION (THE QUANTITY, QUALITY, AND KINDS OF FOOD CONSUMED) DOES AMELIORATE BEHAVIOR IN MANY INSTANCES; E.G., SCHIZOPHRENIA, DEPRESSION, AND SOME ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND OTHER PROBLEMATIC CONDUCT. EATING PROPERLY ENABLES PERSONS TO FEEL BETTER AND BE MORE ALERT AND ENERGETIC. THE NEED FOR GOOD NUTRITION AWARENESS AND PRACTICE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED IN SEVERAL HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NEW JERSEY, AND THE NEED FOR GOOD NUTRITION IN PROBATION SHOULD BE A LOGICAL CONSEQUENCE. IN THE EARLY 1970'S, THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFFICER OF AN OHIO MUNICIPAL COURT PIONEERED THE PRACTICE OF USING NUTRITION TO ASSIST PROBATIONERS AND DEVELOPED A PROGRAM BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT SOME ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR IS A RESULT OF BIOCHEMICAL IMBALANCES RESULTING FROM MALNUTRITION. THE PROGRAM INVOLVES A NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT AT INTAKE OF THE OFFENDER'S EATING HABITS, FOCUSING ON SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA AND DIABETES. A DIET IS PRESCRIBED FOR THE OFFENDER ON THE BASIS OF THE ASSESSMENT. IF THE COURT ORDERS ANY OF THE DIETARY SUGGESTIONS AS CONDITIONS FOR PROBATION, NONCOMPLIANCE CAN RESULT IN PROBATION REVOCATION. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PROBATION SERVICE STAFF BE EDUCATED AND TRAINED IN GOOD NUTRITION FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT AS WELL AS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR CLIENTS, PROBATION ADMINISTRATORS ASSESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THEIR PERSONNEL AND PROMOTE PREVENTIVE MEDICINE THROUGH INCENTIVES FOR GOOD NUTRITION AND FITNESS, AND PROBATION SERVICES PERSONNEL PARTICIPATE IN NUTRITION RESEARCH PROJECTS OF OTHER AGENCIES AND ESTABLISH ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL, STATE, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL NUTRITION-RELATED AGENCIES. (DAG)