Food Insecurity and Collateral Consequences of Punishment Amidst the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Abstract

Bipartisan governmental representatives and the public support investment in health care, housing, education, and nutrition programs, plus resources for people leaving prison and jail (Halpin, 2018; Johnson & Beletsky, 2020; USCCR, 2019). The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 banned people with felony drug convictions from receiving food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Food insecurity, recidivism, and poor mental and physical health outcomes are associated with such bans. Several states have overturned SNAP benefit bans, yet individuals with criminal convictions are still denied benefits due to eligibility criteria modifications. COVID-19 has impaired lower-income, food-insecure communities, which disproportionately absorb people released from prison and jail. Reentry support is sorely lacking. Meanwhile, COVID-19 introduces immediate novel health risks, economic insecurity, and jail and prison population reductions and early release. Thirty to 50 percent of people in prisons and jails, which are COVID-19 hotspots, have been released early (Flagg & Neff, 2020; New York Times, 2020; Vera, 2020). The Families First Coronavirus Response Act increases flexibility in providing emergency SNAP supplements and easing program administration during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights recommends eliminating SNAP benefit restrictions based on criminal convictions, which fail to prevent recidivism, promote public safety, or relate to underlying crimes. Policy improvements, administrative flexibility, and cross-sector collaboration can facilitate SNAP benefit access, plus safer, healthier transitioning from jail or prison to the community.

Community Stakeholders’ Perceptions on Barriers and Facilitators to Food Security of Families with Children under Three Years before and during COVID-19

“…Moreover, participants also stated the stigma associated with applying for or receiving additional assistance hindered caregivers’ ability to provide for their children, especially during the pandemic. Research has found that shame and anxiety can intensify the stigmatization of participation in food assistance programs and the acceptance of charitable foods [ 61 , 62 ]. Thus, even if resources and services were available in these communities, there is a low participation rate due to a lack of knowledge and the stigma associated with receiving benefits.…”

Government actions for COVID-19 control and prevention in prisons: a scoping review

“…In NZL 34 , in 2019, the De-partment of Corrections started a program with the government on housing for the released. In the U.S., some states revised the rules of access to the food security program to allow the concession to released inmates 45 .…”

Ações governamentais para controle e prevenção da COVID-19 em prisões: uma revisão de escopo

“…Na NZL 34 , desde 2019, o Departamento de Correções iniciou um programa com o governo de habitação para egressos. Nos EUA, alguns estados revisaram as regras de acesso ao programa de segurança alimentar para permitir a concessão aos egressos do sistema prisional 45 .…”