The subjective and normative care requirements of prison inmates (original) (raw)
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Inmate Mental Health and the Pains of Imprisonment
Society and Mental Health, 2018
We use national data on 5,552 inmates and the 214 state prisons in which they reside to examine how prison conditions are associated with mental health symptoms net of individual-level factors. Structural equation models indicate that prison overcrowding and punitiveness are positively related to both depression and hostility, while the availability of work assignments is negatively related to both mental health indicators. The proportion of inmates whose home is more than 50 miles from the prison was positively associated with depression. Inmates reported higher levels of hostility when the prison did not allow television and there was a recent prison suicide. These results suggest the importance of examining a wide range of prison deprivations in research on inmate well-being to lay the groundwork for understanding the mechanisms through which prison deprivations are linked to mental health.
Assessing needs for psychiatric treatment in prisoners: 1. Prevalence of disorder
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Background High levels of psychiatric morbidity in prisoners have important implications for services. Assessing Needs for Psychiatric Treatment in Prisoners is an evaluation of representative samples of prisoners in a male and a female prison in London. This paper reports on the prevalence of mental disorders. In a companion paper, we describe how this translates into mental health treatment needs and the extent to which they have been met. Methods Prisoners were randomly sampled in a sequential procedure based on the Local Inmate Data System. We interviewed roughly equal numbers from the following groups: male remand; male sentenced prisoners (Pentonville prison); and female remand; female sentenced prisoners (Holloway prison). Structured assessments were made of psychosis, common mental disorders, PTSD, personality disorder and substance abuse. Results We interviewed 197 male and 171 female prisoners. Psychiatric morbidity in male and female, sentenced and remand prisoners far exceeded in prevalence and severity than in equivalent general population surveys. In particular, 12% met criteria for psychosis; 53.8% for depressive disorders; 26.8% for anxiety disorders; 33.1% were dependent on alcohol and 57.1% on illegal drugs; 34.2% had some form of personality disorder; and 69.1% had two disorders or more. Moreover, in the year before imprisonment, 25.3% had used mental health services. Conclusions These rates of mental ill-health and their similarity in remand and sentenced prisoners indicate that diversion of people with mental health problems from the prison arm of the criminal justice system remains inadequate, with serious consequences for well-being and recidivism.
Examining the Mental Health of Prison Inmates: A Perspective of a Psychologist
Mind and Society
Mental health is a common concern for people seeking well-being in their lives. Healthcare providers and policymakers worldwide have focused on analyzing and working on issues related to mental health among varied age groups. However, people who are in detention or the inmate population, like prisoners, are one of the least studied populations in terms of understanding the prevalence of mental illnesses among the cohort. The detrimental impact of confinement within the prisons can be threatening and mentally exhausting for the inmates, as most of them are unaware of their rights and the justice system. The present paper examines mental health issues among prison inmates in India and reviews the related literature. The paper also discusses the fact file of available services, laws, and healthcare policies for prisoners in India. Further, the issues are discussed with a focus on highlighting the models and interventions that can be utilized and applied to enhance the mental healthcare...
Mental Health and Psychiatric Morbidity in Prisoners
2015
Prisoners are extremely vulnerable to develop mental disorders and psychiatric morbidity. It has been seen that prisoners have elevated rates of psychiatric disorders as compared to the general population. Psychosis, personality disorders, depression and substance use are some of the common problems plaguing the inmates. Some of them tend to show suicidal tendencies. This paper aims at looking at certain factors which contribute to their mental disorders. It also seeks to analyze certain case studies in order to show how these factors lead to a detoriation in the mental health of the prisoners. Lastly it suggests certain reforms in order to ensure timely identification of the disorder, immediate treatment and rehabilitation.
The impact of incarceration on mental health and its prevalence
The present paper aims to synthesize the available literature related to prison conditions and mental health as little is known about the impact of prison climate on the mental health of adult prisoners. Mental health issues are more common among the inmates than the general population. The prison environment, its strict regime and the “society of captives” are said to be detrimental to mental health. High rates of psychiatric co-morbidity have been documented and it is suggested that these also contribute to the general problem of poor mental health inside prison. A systematic review of literature has been done in order to identify the possible factors of the prison environment and their effects on mental health of prisoners and the prevalence of such issues. The study highlights the main problems that arise from the negative effect of the prison environment on the mental health of prisoners. However, some investigations regard the prison as a place of a respite. Yet, there is need for further research in this area as many of the mental disorders still remain undiagnosed or even unrecognised inside prison. Staff and institutions involved should recognise the possible risks caused by the mental health issues of inmates and take imaginative and innovative steps to improving the prison climate and the delivery of mental health services inside correction centres.
2018
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Mental health of prisoners: prevalence, adverse outcomes, and interventions
The Lancet Psychiatry, 2016
More than 10 million people are imprisoned worldwide, and the prevalence of all investigated mental disorders is higher in prisoners than in the general population. Although the extent to which prison increases the incidence of mental disorders is uncertain, considerable evidence suggests low rates of identifi cation and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Prisoners are also at increased risk of all-cause mortality, suicide, self-harm, violence, and victimisation, and research has outlined some modifi able risk factors. Few high quality treatment trials have been done on psychiatric disorders in prisoners. Despite this lack of evidence, trial data have shown that opiate substitution treatments reduce substance misuse relapse and possibly reoff ending. The mental health needs of women and older adults in prison are distinct, and national policies should be developed to meet these. In this Review, we present clinical, research, and policy recommendations to improve mental health care in prisons. National attempts to meet these recommendations should be annually surveyed.
Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders and Related Factors in Male Prisoners
Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 2014
Background: Prisoners are at risk of mental disorders. Therefore attention to mental health of prisoners is important. Objectives: This study aimed determine to the prevalence of mental disorders among Kashan prisoners. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Kashan prison (Iran). 180 Subjects were selected by using stratified random sampling and evaluated with Symptoms Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire and clinical interview based on Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Disease-IV (DSM-IV) check list by two psychiatrists. Data were analyzed by SPSS-16 software and Chi square, Kolmogrov Smirnov, Mann-whiteny and Leven tests. Results: The mean age of prisoners was 31.9 ± 8.96. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in prisoners was 43.4 %. The most frequent disorders were major depressive disorders (27.9 %), Post traumatic Stress Disorder (17.4%) and substance use disorder (17.4 %). 28.3% of prisoners had personality disorders, that the most prevalent were antisocial personality and borderline personality. The comorbidity of psychiatric disorders was (36 %) in axis I. Suicidal thoughts there were in 44.6 % of prisoners. History of head trauma in Prisoners with psychiatric disorders was (52.2 %). There was significant difference between head trauma and psychiatric disorders (P = 0.05). Significant difference was between marital status and duration of imprisonment with psychiatric disorders P < 0.05. There was not significant difference between type of crime and educational level with psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: About half of all prisoners suffered from psychiatric disorders; therefore treatment psychiatric disorder in this group is essential for prevention of crime. Prisoners are at risk of mental disorders. Therefore attention to mental health of prisoners is important.