A Criminal Justice system that works for women must prioritise health and wellbeing
The findings of Breaking out of the Justice Loop report highlight the urgent need to reshape our justice system to better serve women.
At Think Through Nutrition (TTN) we welcome the report’s recognition of prevention, early intervention and holistic, community-based support as key to reducing women’s imprisonment. However, to truly break the cycle of reoffending, we must ensure that practical, accessible and affordable food and nutrition solutions are embedded within this approach.
A justice system that truly works for women must also consider the fundamental role of nutrition, brain health and wellbeing. Many women entering the criminal justice system have histories of trauma, domestic abuse and adverse childhood experiences – factors that are strongly linked to poor mental and physical health, as well as nutritional deficiencies. Research shows that nutrition has a direct impact on brain function, emotional regulation and decision-making, which in turn affects rehabilitation and reoffending rates.
The public health approach: Nutrition as prevention and rehabilitation
We particularly support the recommendation for a public health framework to prevent the criminalisation of women. TTN’s work in UK prisons and probation services has shown that simple, targeted nutrition interventions can improve mental resilience, mood stability and overall health – helping women build better futures for themselves and their families.
Women in the criminal justice system often face multiple, overlapping disadvantages, including trauma, domestic abuse and poverty. These factors directly contribute to poor mental and physical health, which in turn have an impact on rehabilitation.
80% of women in prison have a mental health diagnosis (WHO, 2021). Nutritional interventions are proven to support mental resilience, mood stability and cognitive function, tackling some of the underlying factors that contribute to offending and reoffending.
Without the right support women can become trapped in a cycle of reoffending, unable to access the health, education and stability needed to rebuild their lives. Nutrition, when integrated into a holistic rehabilitation strategy, provides a low-cost, high-impact intervention to support recovery and reintegration.
Practical solutions - LANAH, Women's Centres and community-based support
As the Women’s Justice Board (WJB) develops its strategy, it must embed realistic, culturally appropriate and evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of women’s contact with the justice system, while remaining within budget constraints.
Nutrition education and food access should be core elements of Women’s Centre services, ensuring that women receive the practical, affordable tools to recover from trauma, build resilience, improve their health and break the cycle of reoffending.
TTN’s LANAH platform and wider programmes, which are being piloted in UK prisons and probation settings, are examples of scalable, cost-effective interventions. It provides accessible digital learning, equipping women with the knowledge and skills to make informed, affordable food choices that support mental and physical health.
Culturally sensitive approaches must be embedded into the WJB’s work. Women from racially minoritised backgrounds are overrepresented at every stage of the justice system and often face additional barriers, including lack of access to familiar or culturally appropriate foods. Tailoring nutritional interventions to meet these needs is critical.
Why this approach matters?
Women in the justice system deserve a health-first, person-centred approach.
One that gives them the knowledge, tools and support to lead healthier, more stable lives. We look forward to engaging with the WJB and other stakeholders to ensure that nutrition and brain health are recognised as key components of a justice system that truly works for women.
