The effects of imprisonment on the mental health of inmates

Abstract

This dissertation aims to explore the effects of imprisonment, if any, on the mental health of inmates. Understanding which aspects of the prison environment affect inmate mental health, whether negatively or positively is important, as is understanding the actual effects experienced. Such knowledge could be used to support the mental health of inmates and thereby facilitate successful reintegration and possibly reduce recidivism, which would benefit the inmate as well as society in general. In order to obtain in-depth data on the subject the researcher makes use of the qualitative approach and holds interviews with seven professionals working in relevant entities.

The findings demonstrate that certain aspects pertaining to the prison environment can have unfavourable effects on an inmate’s mental health, whilst other aspects of the prison environment can contribute to positive mental health. The overall finding, however, is that the majority of effects appear to be negative. The findings also suggest that, due to varying factors, the mental health of males and females may be affected differently as a result of imprisonment. Lastly, findings show that there are factors that can successfully maintain and promote positive mental health within prison. The researcher concludes that there are many factors that contribute to the deterioration or preservation of mental health in prison however, locally, there appears to be a lacuna in this field of research. It is therefore being suggested that local in depth research is carried and that a local prison mental health policy is implemented.