Vitamin Chill Pills For Cons
By Riaz Bhunnoo
If carrots were handed out with every ASBO, could crime be reduced in England? It's a question that could soon be answered, as researchers at Oxford University undertake one of the biggest controlled studies to see if a simple dose of vitamins can reduce anti-social behaviour.The three-year trial will be conducted on inmates in young offender institutions to see if vitamins and minerals have any beneficial effect on their brains. A total of 1000 inmates will take part in the trial, including serious offenders such as murderers and Bon Jovi fans. Some will be given a cocktail of thirty vitamins and minerals whilst others will receive placebos. The inmates will be monitored for a reduction in violence and other impulsive behaviour, whilst taking outside factors into account.
Professor John Stein (TV chef Rick Stein’s brother, who let’s face it, knows a bit about food) is leading the project and believes the results could have implications for the reduction of crime outside jail. His theory is that omega-3 acids, zinc, iron and vitamins A, B and D play a crucial role in brain chemistry, and an imbalance could lead to violent or impulsive behaviour. He believes that antisocial behaviour can be linked to a bad diet as it results in an "impairment of the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that is most sensitive to lack of key nutrients”. A healthy brain therefore could equal a healthy outlook.
His theory is not without substance. Similar trials have been conducted in Denmark and Britain which suggest that improved nutrition can reduce violent behaviour amongst young offenders. A pilot project ten years ago found that prisoners who took vitamins and other nutrients committed a quarter fewer disciplinary offences and 37% fewer violent offences.Bernard Gesch, honorary director of the charity Natural Justice, who will also led the project, said, “The law tends to assume that criminal behaviour is entirely a matter of free will. I wonder if that is entirely true.”
Others have their doubts about the £1.4M trial. Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said, “You cannot give young people a pill and then send them back to their cell where they sit on a bed opposite the toilet and just expect them to behave. A pill is not going to solve the problem of poor behaviour.” Mr Crook stopped short of advocating a stern talking to and ten laps of the school field before having to muck in with the first XV as being the only sensible way to deal with offenders.
Whatever the outcome of the experiment, I’ll be making sure I get my five fruit and veg a day. Whether those appearing in the dock will be able to plead not guilty on the grounds of diminished nutrition, however, is still unclear.
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Image: Gaston Thauvin
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