Prisoners given Omega-3 for 3 months before release were 16% less likely to return in 3 years – RCT

Omega-3 and vitamin D supplementation to reduce recidivism: a pilot study

Journal of Experimental Criminology Vol 20, pages 683–694, (2024) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-023-09552-2 PDF behind paywall

Adrian Raine, Olivia Choy, Chi-Ching Leung, Melvinder Singh & Jasmin Kaur

Objectives

While three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted using omega-3 supplementation on prison populations, none have examined effects on recidivism. This study presents pilot findings on recidivism rates following omega-3 and vitamin D supplementation.

Methods

Young offenders (N = 145) were randomized into 3 groups: omega-3/vitamin D supplementation (N = 48), placebo (N = 46), and treatment-as-usual controls (N = 51). One-, two-, and three-year recidivism rates were calculated.

Results

The omega-3 group showed non-significantly reduced recidivism rates compared to both control groups in all three years. Three-year recidivism reduction effect sizes were as follows: omega-3 versus controls (d = .18) and omega-3 versus placebo (d = .17).

Conclusions

A future study with a sample size of 237 would have a power of .80 to detect these effect sizes. These pilot data suggest that omega-3 and vitamin D supplementation, a simple and relatively cheap health intervention, could reduce 3-year recidivism by 16.6%.

From PDF

• Singapore prisoners in their early 20’s

• For the treat­ment condition only, a total of 840 mg of omega-3

  • (300 mg of DHA, 300 mg of EPA, 180 mg of alpha-linolenic acid, and 60 mg of DPA) was added to the base drink.

Suspect even fewer returns to prison if 1) add Vitamin D, 2) continue supplements after leave prison

Estimate of Return on Investment if 25% relative reduction (15% actual)

For simplicity, assume save 1 year of prison time

Assume cost of keeping a prisioner is $50,000/year

Assume cost of 6 months of supplement = $32

Assume give to 100 prisoners

Total cost of supplements for 100 prisoners = $3,200

Total prison years saved due to supplement = 15 years = 100 X 15%

Total cost of prison years saved =$750,000 = 15 years X $50,000/year

ROI = $234 saved for $1 invested

Vitamin D Life - Omega-3 reduces Depression. Anxiety, Stress, PTSD, etc. – Aug 2018

Vitamin D Life - Prisoners have low Vitamin D - many studies

Note: ADHD 5X more likely in prisoners, ADHD treated by both Omega-3 and Vitamin D