Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

The purpose of this research is to further understanding of the link between incarceration and health by investigating the impact of incarceration on food insecurity and access to healthful foods among former inmates. To investigate this issue, the current study uses data from two sources: (1) National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health); (2) Center for Disease Control (CDC) Modified Food Retail Environment Index (mRFEI). Preliminary findings indicate that net of confounding variables, formerly incarcerated individuals are at an increased risk for both food insecurity and residing in locations with poor access to healthy food retailers.