Feeding Relationships

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the importance of supportive relationships and social networks to prisoners' psychosocial outcomes, especially for women. Understanding how these relationships are constructed, negotiated, and sustained is, therefore, critical for social workers and other professionals who work with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated clients, and/or their family and friends. This article analyzes formerly incarcerated women's narratives about prison foodways, demonstrating the centrality of these systems to prisoners' relationships and building knowledge about everyday inmate interactions with people inside and outside of prison. Research, clinical, and policy recommendations suggest ways prison foodways could be altered to strengthen prisoners' relationships. Keywords family systems, health and well-being, qualitative, women in prisonResearch has demonstrated the importance of supportive relationships and social networks to psychosocial and health outcomes for incarcerated people, especially for women (e.g., Collica Staton-Tindall et al., 2007). Understanding the lived experience of incarceration and the everyday ways in which prisoners' relationships are constructed, negotiated, and sustained is, therefore, critical for social workers and other professionals who work with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated clients and/or their family and friends. This article analyzes women's narratives about prison foodways to build knowledge about everyday inmate interactions. Findings reveal the centrality of food systems to prisoners' relationships with people inside and outside of prison and can be used to inform research, social work clinical practice, and correctional policy.

Food in Captivity: Experiences of Women in Indian Prisons

“…Many women mentioned that, when at homes, they would cook food, which they thought had beneficial effect on health. A similar idea has been found in earlier studies that showed that perceptions toward food in prisons also redefine how people "read" their bodies and reconstruct notions of "good" and "healthy" (Smith, 2002(Smith, , 2009Smoyer, 2015aSmoyer, , 2015b. In the prisons under study, food was often assessed in terms of nutritional and medicinal values.…”

Baking Bittersweet: Mothers’ Dessert-Making Behind Bars

“…Inmates who identify less with criminalistic labels and more with pro-social identities are more well-adjusted in general (Cochran, 2012; Rowe, 2011; Smoyer & Minke, 2015). Because food is such a powerful avenue to access and practice identity, the activity of creating food behind bars may lead to safer jails, more effective re-entry experiences, and improved morale and well-being (Smoyer, 2014, 2015; Stevens, 2012).…”

“…Another limitation should be noted in the various rationales for preparing one's own food behind bars. Research suggests in-cell cooking or baking is often undertaken for status, to combat boredom, to join social networks, or to create food that is tasty (see Cate, 2008;Rouhan, 2016;Smoyer, 2014Smoyer, , 2015. In addition, some individuals may have previous baking abilities or are interested in learning a new skill.…”

“…A number of studies have explored the gendered experience of food behind bars. Through interviews with formerly incarcerated women, Smoyer (2015) found that food assisted in the development and maintenance of close relationships behind bars. Women built networks grounded in smuggling food, learning recipes, and nourishing one another.…”

“…Food has the power to influence many aspects of prison life, including relationships, identity, mental and physical health, and prison culture (Collings Eves, 2005; Godderis, 2006; Janowski, 2012; Milligan, Waller, & Andrews, 2002; Minke, 2014; Smoyer, 2015; Smoyer & Minke, 2015). This suggests that studies of food creation and consumption behind bars have significant value, especially as mass incarceration continues to be a concern in U.S. society (Clear & Frost, 2015).…”