Objectives: Adequate nutrition among inmates at correctional facilities may prevent a variety of
diseases and conditions. Vitamin D is a nutrient of particular interest to incarcerated populations;
however, research in this area is sparse. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess vitamin D
status among inmates in a prison in southern Arizona, a sun-replete region of the United States.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of circulating concentrations of 25-
hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D] among short-term (group 1; 1 y; n ¼ 30) inmates at The Fourth Avenue Jail in Maricopa County (Phoenix) Arizona.
Results: The long-term inmates in group 2 had statistically significantly lower levels of 25(OH)D
(13.9 6.3 ng/mL) compared with group 1 (25.9 12.4; P < 0.0001). Defining vitamin D deficiency
as circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, 37.9% of inmates in group 1 and 90% of those
in group 2 were deficient. After adjusting for body mass index and age, the odds ratio (95% confidence
interval) for deficiency in group 2 was 18.7 (4.1–84.9) compared with group 1.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates the presence of vitamin D deficiency at the Fourth Avenue Jail
in Maricopa County, Arizona, particularly among inmates who have been housed at the facility for
>1 y. Because marked vitamin D deficiency is associated with a myriad of adverse health outcomes,
consideration should be given to providing dietary or supplemental vitamin D to inmates at
correctional facilities.