Success StoryHelping Inmates Pursue Healthier Lifestyles



Helping Inmates Pursue Healthier Lifestyles

Author: Sherry Ragsdale

Planning Unit: Oldham County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

The National Institute on Drug Abuse asserts that successful addiction treatment helps an addict become drug-free, stay drug free, and be a productive member of the family.  In an effort to address the latter, the Oldham County Extension EFNEP assistant partnered with Roderer Correctional Complex to bring nutrition education to their substance abuse program.  Lessons from the Healthy Choices curriculum focused on helping prepare inmates for a healthier lifestyle upon returning to their families.  Since the fall of 2016, approximately 60 participants have learned to use nutrition labels to find healthy food choices  for their families, proper food safety techniques, and to stretch their food dollars.

Multiple participants noted the importance in keeping a daily food journal, especially in the case of previous health issues.  One man expressed his hope to show his diabetic wife this strategy so she can improve her eating habits.






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