HR 189 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the nutritional value of food, along with the nutrition-related health of incarcerated individuals, in State correctional institutions in this Commonwealth and to issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives.

PRINTER'S NO.    1374

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 189
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, WAXMAN, McNEILL, KHAN, KENYATTA,
        HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, OTTEN, SCHLOSSBERG, PARKER, GIRAL,
        D. WILLIAMS, MAYES, GREEN, KINKEAD, K.HARRIS, STEELE,
        HOHENSTEIN AND WARREN, APRIL 15, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, APRIL 15, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
 2      study on the nutritional value of food, along with the
 3      nutrition-related health of incarcerated individuals, in
 4      State correctional institutions in this Commonwealth and to
 5      issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the
 6      House of Representatives.
 7      WHEREAS, People who are incarcerated have a right to food
 8   that is safe, nourishing, appealing to the senses and culturally
 9   appropriate; and
10      WHEREAS, People who are incarcerated should have access to
11   food that satiates hunger and promotes physical health and
12   mental well-being; and
13      WHEREAS, People who are incarcerated should have access to
14   food that meets their individual health needs and aligns with
15   their values; and
16      WHEREAS, More than 40,000 individuals are housed in 23 State
17   correctional institutions and a motivational boot camp across
18   this Commonwealth; and
19      WHEREAS, Incarcerated individuals must depend on the
 1   facilities in which they are incarcerated for their nutrition,
 2   as well as their health and wellness; and
 3         WHEREAS, It is stated policy of the Department of Corrections
 4   that the regular master menu and various population menus will
 5   be planned based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the
 6   Dietary Reference Intakes; and
 7         WHEREAS, For every meal, a State correctional institution in
 8   this Commonwealth offers a vegetarian entree and special meals
 9   to accommodate religious observances; and
10         WHEREAS, Although the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and
11   the Dietary Reference Intakes are intended to protect
12   incarcerated individuals' health in State correctional
13   institutions, food has been used as a means of punishment and is
14   currently being used for behavior modification; and
15         WHEREAS, In comparison to the general population, a higher
16   rate of incarcerated individuals report having one or more
17   chronic medical conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes;
18   and
19         WHEREAS, It is vitally important that the nutritional value
20   of food at State correctional institutions in this Commonwealth
21   be examined, as well as the health conditions of incarcerated
22   individuals to ensure that they are receiving humane treatment
23   and to bring awareness to their health needs; therefore be it
24         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
25   State Government Commission to conduct a study on the
26   nutritional value of food, along with the nutrition-related
27   health of incarcerated individuals, in State correctional
28   institutions in this Commonwealth and to issue a report of its
29   findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives;
30   and be it further

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 1      RESOLVED, That the study include, at a minimum, the following
 2   regarding State correctional institutions in this Commonwealth:
 3          (1)    a breakdown of the nutritional value of the food
 4      served, including the percentage of carbohydrates, fat,
 5      protein, minerals and vitamins in each food group;
 6          (2)    a breakdown of the sources of calcium, calories,
 7      carbohydrates, fruits, grains, protein and vegetables in each
 8      meal served;
 9          (3)    a breakdown of the number of calories provided for
10      each incarcerated individual over the course of three meals
11      per day;
12          (4)    an analysis of the nutritional value of the planned
13      master menu, including the extent to which the menu aligns
14      with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary
15      Reference Intakes;
16          (5)    an analysis of the nutritional value of the food and
17      beverages made available for sale in the commissary,
18      including the amount of carbohydrates, fat, protein, minerals
19      and vitamins in each item;
20          (6)    an analysis of the dietary intake of a
21      representative sample of incarcerated individuals, using a
22      24-hour dietary recall or other established method;
23          (7)    an analysis of food quality and palatability in
24      relation to preferences of the incarcerated population;
25          (8)    the medical and physical health of incarcerated
26      individuals; and
27          (9)    the prevalence of illness and disease among
28      incarcerated individuals;
29   and be it further
30      RESOLVED, That the study assess menu options for each of the

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 1   following populations:
 2          (1)   general population;
 3          (2)   vegetarian population;
 4          (3)   diabetic population; and
 5          (4)   religious population;
 6   and be it further
 7      RESOLVED, That the study include a cost-benefit analysis on
 8   the following:
 9          (1)   providing additional calories on menus while
10      reducing the cost of menu items;
11          (2)   replacing food low in nutritional value, such as
12      desserts and extra bread, with food high in nutritional
13      value, such as fruits and vegetables; and
14          (3)   replacing high cost and low nutritional value meals
15      with lower cost and high nutritional value meals;
16   and be it further
17      RESOLVED, That the study also include recommendations for
18   legislative action to:
19          (1)   increase the nutritional value of incarcerated
20      individuals' food; and
21          (2)   treat health conditions of incarcerated individuals
22      and take preventive measures to mitigate illness and disease
23      among incarcerated individuals;
24   and be it further
25      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
26   authorized to request information from the Department of
27   Corrections for the study; and be it further
28      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
29   its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives
30   no later than one year after the adoption of this resolution.

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