Prison can create and worsen mental health problems, and people had pre-existing mental health problems before their incarceration.
Being in prison can take a serious toll on an individualspsychological well-being.
In state prisons, 73% of women and 55% of men have a mental health problem.
Pablo Andrés Carvajal / EyeEm / Getty Images
Substance abuse is also highly prevalent among incarcerated individuals.
Quite often, mental health issues and substance abuse issues occur alongside one another.
Increased incarceration rates in the United States have disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority populations.
As of 2021, 38.5% of incarcerated individuals are Black, and 30% are Hispanic.
For others, the problems may have started after their incarcerations.
Quite often, disorders go unrecognized by people in prison and prison staff.
The Sentencing Project suggests there is a weak relationship between increased incarceration and decreased crime.
It can be difficult for a justice-involved person to contribute to their family’s financial or emotional needs.
A perceivedlack of purpose in lifecan take a serious toll on anyone’s psychological well-being.
They also aren’t known for their skills, talents, or knowledge.
The loss of asense of selfcan be quite disorienting, confusing, and troublesome.
Separation From Loved Ones
They can no longer be with their friends and families.
Missing their loved ones and not being part of their daily lives increases feelings of isolation andloneliness.
People in prison have few ways to relievestress.
And their sterile environment is likely to fuel boredom, which can be quite stressful in itself.
This can create a cycle of stress that is tough to break.
Exposure to Violence
Incarcerated individuals are often exposed to violence while behind bars.
They may witness fights breaking out at meal times or during recreation times.
Research shows that exposure to violence while in prison creates emotional distress.
“These conditions may be why they exhibited behavioral issues in the first place.
Solitary confinement can exacerbate symptoms.
But others are likely to develop mental health issues as a result of the extreme isolation.
Studies show solitary confinement increases the risk of anxiety,insomnia, paranoia,aggression, and depression.
Lack of Treatment
Even when mental health concerns are known, disorders often go untreated.
Most prisons lack the funds to offer adequate mental health treatment.
Those who do offer services of some kind may be limited in the types of treatments they provide.
Additionally, services in prison may not be all that effective.
It’s tough for individuals to open up to someone when they lack physical and psychological safety.
Only about 18% of them were taking medication for their condition when they became incarcerated.
Of those who were taking medication, less than 50% were prescribed medication during their admission.
Medications are often expensive, and quite often, to save costs, prescriptions are not made readily available.
Specialized treatment is rarely available in prisons.
And generic groups or services may not be able to assist with specific conditions.
Additionally, most prisons do not provide adequate access to treatment providers.
So, incarcerated individuals' conditions often go unrecognized.
Quite often, inmates are given simple screening questionnaires to complete at intake.
Untreated psychiatric conditions may increase the risk of recidivism.
A 2020 study looked at the rates of recidivism among individuals who were released from prison.
Many of the institutions were understaffed and unable to give patients the individual treatments they needed.
Closing the doors to psychiatric hospitals and other long-term institutions, however, has had serious consequences.
The lack of long-term treatment options contributed to a major increase in incarcerations.
Takeaways
Anyone who is facing incarceration should consider revealing any pre-existing mental health conditions.
Disclosing those issues may increase the likelihood of accessing treatment.
But bigger changes are needed at the systemic and legal levels.
Better access to mental health services overall may prevent crime.
Treating people during incarceration and providing access to ongoing treatment after they’re released may reduce recidivism rates.
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Schultz WJ, Ricciardeli R.Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work.Health Justice.
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