Download
1 / 3
30 likes | 147 Views
This study examines mental health problems in incarcerated populations through nationally representative samples of prison (N=18,200) and jail inmates (N=7,000). Interviews highlighted that a significant portion of inmates reported mental health issues within the past year, with state prisons reporting 73% of females and 55% of males experiencing symptoms. Specific mental health disorders included mania, depression, and psychosis. The relationship between mental disorders, violence, recidivism, and substance abuse is also explored, revealing high rates of drug and alcohol dependency among those with self-reported mental health issues.
E N D
NIJ Study of PrisonerMental Health Problems • Nationally representative samples of prison inmates (2004, N = 18,200) and jail inmates (2002, N = 7,000) • Interviewers asked each inmate about symptoms of mental disorders they experienced within the last year • Self-reported mental disorders • State prisons: 73 percent of females and 55 percent of males • Federal prisons: 61 percent of females and 44 percent of males • Jails: 75 percent of females and 63 percent of males.
Self-reported mental health problems by type and jurisdiction • State prisoners: 43 percent had symptoms of mania, 23 percent major depression and 15 percent psychotic disorder. • Federal prisoners: 35 percent had symptoms of mania, 16 percent major depression and 10 percent psychotic disorder. • Jail inmates: 54 percent had symptoms of mania, 30 percent major depression and 24 percent psychotic disorder, such as delusions or hallucinations
Self-reported mental health problems: violence, recidivism, drug and alcohol abuse • Violence • 61 percent of state prisoners and 44 percent of jail inmates had a current or past violent offense. • Recidivism • 25 percent of state prisoners and 26 percent of jail inmates had served three or more prior sentences. • Drug and alcohol abuse • Inmates with self-reported mental health problems had high rates of drug and alcohol dependency and abuse in the year before they were confined • 74 percent of state prisoners and 76 percent of jail inmates • 37 percent of state prisoners and 34 percent of jail inmates said they used drugs at the time of their offense. • 13 percent of state prisoners and 12 percent of jail inmates said they used methamphetamines in the month before their offense.
