New York Health Foundation & Correctional Association of New York Spotlight Food Challenges: Expert Discuss Solutions
Virtual Panel Featured DOCCS Commissioner, Formerly Incarcerated Assemblymember, and Leading Researcher
New York, NY – As many New Yorkers prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) hosted a virtual discussion to review food within New York State’s prisons, along with the public health and policy context. The discussion explored the findings of a new report, produced by the Correctional Association of New York and funded by NYHealth, that investigated challenges incarcerated individuals face in accessing nutritious and culturally appropriate food. Experts identified solutions to improve food quality and promote healthier outcomes for this vulnerable population.
The panel discussion featured:
Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III: Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS)
Assemblymember Edward “Eddie” Gibbs: Represents New York’s 68th district and is the first formerly incarcerated person to serve in the New York State Legislature.
Dr. Rodlescia S. Sneed: Assistant Professor in the Institute of Gerontology & Department of Psychology at Wayne State University, and expert on the health and well-being of older adults with a history of incarceration.
Julia McCarthy: New York Health Foundation, Moderator
"Access to nutritious food is a basic human right," said Julia McCarthy, Senior Program Officer at the New York Health Foundation. "This discussion shed light on the urgent need for improvements to the food system in New York State prisons. The Correctional Association's report should be required reading for anyone who wants to improve food quality and healthier life outcomes for incarcerated individuals.”
The CANY report, based on extensive interviews of incarcerated individuals and an analysis of administrative data, reveals concerns about food quality, safety, and access in New York State prisons. The panel discussion explored these findings and generated actionable strategies for reform.
To view the webinar, follow this link.
About the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth):
The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) is a private, statewide foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. The Foundation is committed to making grants, informing health policy and practice, spreading effective programs to improve the health care system and the health of New Yorkers, serving as a convener of health leaders across the State, and providing technical assistance to its grantees and partners.
About the Correctional Association of New York:
The Correctional Association of New York (CANY) is an independent, non-profit organization with a legal mandate to monitor and report on conditions in New York State prisons. CANY was founded in 1844 and deputized by the state to provide monitoring and oversight of the state’s prisons in 1846, making it one of the first organizations in the country to administer civilian oversight of prisons. CANY conducts monitoring visits, publishes reports, and advocates for policy changes to improve conditions in New York State prisons.
