ipl-logo

How Do Prisons Affect The Mental Health Of Prisoners?

903 Words4 Pages

Prisoners represent a unique group in society; they are frequently marginalized and deal with a variety of issues, including mental health issues (1). Within prisons, individuals are subject to unique stressors and traumas that can profoundly impact their psychological well-being (2). In this essay, we will delve into the mental health of prisoners, paying particular attention to the correlation between mental health in prisoners and the stressors of prison life. In addition to upsetting people's regular schedules and social ties, imprisonment exposes them to a violent, impoverished, and uncertain environment (3). These elements make prisoners more susceptible to mental health problems; studies show that rates of psychiatric disorders are much …show more content…

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a major role; studies indicate a robust correlation between childhood trauma and subsequent mental health illnesses in the prison population (6). Violence exposure, both before and during jail, exacerbates pre-existing mental health conditions and prolongs trauma (7). Psychological suffering is further compounded by trauma associated with criminal conduct or incarceration, such as trial procedures, arrest, and losing autonomy inside prison walls (8). Prisoners' mental health deteriorates due to pressures inherent in prison life, such as violence, social isolation, lack of privacy, overcrowding, and restricted access to healthcare and mental health services (9). Because many prisoners originate from homes where there is a high rate of unemployment, stress, and trauma, socioeconomic disadvantage is also a key determinant (10). Substance misuse, which is common among prisoners, exacerbates cognitive impairment and increases susceptibility to mental …show more content…

The psychological health of prisoners is greatly impacted by the challenges and traumas that come with being incarcerated. People are more vulnerable to mental health issues in prisons because of the harsh, destitute, and unpredictable environment they live in; psychiatric disorders are more common there than in the general community. Nonetheless, insufficient resources and support systems in prisons worsen inmates' mental health issues. By looking into the relationship between the stressors of prison life and the results of mental health, we may better understand the intricate mechanisms at work and pinpoint methods for improving the well-being of those who are jailed. Numerous factors, such as traumatic experiences during childhood, exposure to violence, criminal behaviour or incarceration-related trauma, prison stress, socioeconomic hardship, and substance abuse, all have an impact on the mental health of inmates. These factors influence the frequency and seriousness of mental health issues among inmates, emphasizing the necessity for all-encompassing intervention techniques. Prison life pressures have a significant impact on inmates' mental

Show More
Related
1290 Words | 6 Pages

Craig Haney’s article Mental Health Issues in Long-Term Solitary and “Supermax” Confinement illustrates the complications faced in solitary confinement emphasizing the rise in mental health challenges imposed. Particular attention is paid to the escalation in the nature of mental health-related issues, including the negative psychological effects of imprisonment. Haney discusses these increasingly widespread and specialized units that bring forward the issues presented taking into account the notion of isolation and the association of the high percentage of prisoners suffering from mental illnesses. The article briefly assesses the recent case law concerning the difficulty of mentally ill prisoners, suggesting that the majority of broader psychological problems have been overlooked by the courts.

Read More
556 Words | 3 Pages

They have become alienated by society, and are strangers to their friends and family. The psychological impact of incarcerating an innocent or undeserving individual can be detrimental. Post-victimization disorders such as post acute stress disorder and PTSD can cause emotional detachment, despair, hostility, and increased risk of various phobias (Polifroni, 2018). Unwarranted subjectivity to extreme punishment and condemnation leaves victims with a host of potential social, emotional, and psychological deficits including distrust, dependance on institutions, diminished self-worth, post-traumatic stress reactions and more (Haney, 2002). The process of being incarcerated brings about several psychological adaptations, brought about by the extreme demands of living in prison.

Read More
1097 Words | 5 Pages

With such traumatic experiences or undiagnosed mental illnesses, inmates who are released from prison have an extremely hard time readjusting to society and often lash out and commit crimes as a result of their untreated problems. It is for this particular reason that Davis says we must focus on rehabilitation and provide services for inmates while incarcerated and before they are released. Solutions she proposes are shorter sentences, education and job training programs, humane prison conditions, and better medical facilities and service. With adequate care and conditions, released inmates will able to find jobs, start families, and become functioning members of society rather then returning to

Read More
1191 Words | 5 Pages

This quote underscores the failure of the prison system to address the mental health needs of incarcerated individuals. The statistics about the high rates of mental illness among prisoners emphasizes the lack of mental health care in prisons. The reliance on physical force and solitary confinement as means of managing behavior further worsen mental

Read More
780 Words | 4 Pages

The. https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/13/1/1. The purpose of the article, Depression in Inmates, analyzes how depression rates in prisons can be caused by various factors, such as poor environmental conditions, for instance, a small room, lack of light, and a lack of privacy. In addition to emotional factors such as interpersonal relationships, limited mental health resources, and substance abuse. The author's intent in research is to show how a lack of mental health resources can increase depression rates in prisons.

Read More
656 Words | 3 Pages

The PBS production of Frontline displays that environment impacts human behavior. Of the total two million prison inmates in America, 500,000 of them are mentally ill. The mentally ill that are in prisons end up in isolated rooms separate from everyone else, they have twenty-four-seven solitary confinement. Most prison inmates lead their lives to depression or suicide. The mentally ill prison inmates that get released, usually end up back in jail because they do not take their proper medications regularly.

Read More
1579 Words | 7 Pages

“Rather than taking the time to understand the mind and the social environment of individuals who participate in criminal activity and helping to break the ever turning cycles, the criminal justice system is quick to criminalize these individuals, thus failing to realize that, in reality, these acts are just cries for help for necessary resources. There is something from their past that haunts their present and, ultimately, their future” (Johnson-Watkins 2017). And after an individual has cried out and been punished, they are going to constantly struggle because inmates are only punished, not rehabilitated or supported. “Crimes such as domestic violence, drug abuse, and theft are not looked into as actual mental illnesses that could elicit this type of behavior but just as a wrongdoing that must be punished by imprisonment” (Davis 2003). This is a sad future that many individuals in our current criminal justice system are facing.

Read More
243 Words | 1 Pages

In accordance to the National Comorbidity Study negative risk factors that aide towards mental illness are low income, little education, and no occupation. Given these risks an individual is almost three times more likely to have a psychiatric disorder. Socioeconomic status regarding race, gender all play a prominent role. There are disparities that exist for released mental health inmates especially for minorities, they experience a great disadvantage of finding employment due to a criminal record and mental health status. To add mental health former inmates strive to survive however, given two weeks of medication, faced with poverty, and no other available resources as a consequence re-enter the prison system.

Read More
1300 Words | 6 Pages

Studies have shown that women have reported histories of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, more than men which contribute to their mental instability. In 2005, 73.1 percent of women in state prisons had a mental health problem (Daniel, 2007). 80 percent of incarcerated women meet the criteria for at least one lifetime psychiatric disorder (Daniel, 2007). Substance abuse, dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression appear to be the most common mental health problems for female inmates (Daniel, 2007). Incarcerated women have also shown a strong link between childhood abuse and adult mental health problems.

Read More
443 Words | 2 Pages

More specifically, mass incarceration leads to poor health outcomes such as chronic issues due to the increased levels of stress and increase in Body Mass Index.2 Family members of those incarcerated are also affected as they experience increased levels of stress and poor mental health.2 Those who have been incarcerated not only suffer from

Read More
1288 Words | 6 Pages

Many prisoners adopt this survival mindset, in which there is no room to express pain or emotion that could in any way lessen their “masculinity”. This can become a major challenge in trying to incorporate treatment programs in prisons, especially if they are constantly being resisted. In a study by Lamb, Weinberger, Marsh, and Gross (2007), they noted that many problems arose when mentally disordered offenders became non-adherent to their psychiatric treatment, which led to even more issues when attempting long-term treatment. They concluded that those inmates with severe mental illnesses who fight their treatment, could present major challenges for any form of treatment while in

Read More
1189 Words | 5 Pages

The 2010 One Year Longitudinal Study of the Psychological Effects of Administrative Segregation conducted by a group of scientists concluded, “Although there were statistically significant findings, the results did not support the hypotheses of the study. We expected that there would be a worsening over time in reported behavior/sensations and that this change would be worse for inmates with mental illness in AS. However, we found that when significant changes over time occurred, they tended to be in the direction of improvement and this improvement tended to occur more frequently for inmates with mental illness,” (. O’Keefe, page 150). This study was conducted in Colorado. Although Colorado is known for having a few supermax prisons, their prisons are not as inforcing about contact with the outside during confinement as our very own Washington.

Read More
813 Words | 4 Pages

What can be done The monitoring, prevention and treatment of mental disorders, as well as the promotion of good mental health, are part of the public health goals in prisons. According to World Health Organization (2017), even in resource-limited countries, measures can be taken to improve the mental health of prisoners and prison staffs, which can be adapted to the country’s cultural, social, political and economic environment (WHO, 2017). In the British prisons, some practices and policies have also been implemented, which reflect the positive impacts of prisoners’ mental health and wellbeing. Provide prisoners with appropriate mental health treatment and care.

Read More
405 Words | 2 Pages

“incarcerated people are more likely than those on the outside to have experienced abuse and trauma. An extensive 2014 study found that 30% to 60% of men in state prisons had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to 3% to 6% of the general male population.” It's obvious that prisoners have elevated levels of PTSD and other mental health conditions that are going on, but PTSD triggers also need to be taken, and accounted

Read More
1627 Words | 7 Pages

I have never before visited a prison nor have I met a prisoner in my entire life. Why should I care about someone whom I would rarely see? But these inmates are our brothers and sisters who may have made bad choices, but don’t want their mistakes to hold them back. Throughout my life, my once miserable and hopeless circumstances were transformed by education, and I am certain that the same principle can be applied to anyone, including inmates, despite our differences in how we responded to circumstances. It is true that prison takes nearly everything away from them – even their hopes and dreams.

Read More

More about How Do Prisons Affect The Mental Health Of Prisoners?

Open Document