Introduction
Mental health in prisoners is problem which is often not considered as a great one in the public health field although it is a matter of fact that many prisoners suffer from mental illness. . The rate of mental disorders is significantly higher in prisoners compared to the general population. Studies in several different countries show that 10-15% of the prison population suffer from mental illnesses. 1 in 7 prisoners has a mental disorder worldwide (Fazel & Seewald, 2010), around 10-12% suffer from a major depression, 65% of the men and 45% of the women from a personality disorder and 4% of the prisoners suffer from a psychotic illness (Fazel & Lubbe, 2005). All these mental disorders are, of course, risk factors for suicide, self-harm and drug abuse within custody and after the release, as well as reoffending (Fazel & Seewald, 2010). For instance, a study of Shaw, Baker, Hunt and et al. found that 72% of the prisoners who committed suicide had a history of mental disorder (Fazel & Lubbe, 2005). This …show more content…
Nevertheless, researchers found that most prisoners start to adapt to the prison life after a couple of weeks or months and often their mental health state improves. Of course, there are exceptions. Besides, it is relevant to separate sentenced prisoner from remand prisoners when focusing on improvement or deterioration of mental health because remand prisoners often have not even access to work or the possibility to do other activities. After the discharge it is important that released prisoners are accompanied by a system for a few weeks especially access to a good medical service is relevant. Often prisoners are feeling more distressed because of the thought of being release and having nowhere to start from. Consequently, it is important that medical services are provided for prisoners by the
Mental health in prisoners is problem which is often not considered as a great one in the public health field although it is a matter of fact that many prisoners suffer from mental illness. . The rate of mental disorders is significantly higher in prisoners compared to the general population. Studies in several different countries show that 10-15% of the prison population suffer from mental illnesses. 1 in 7 prisoners has a mental disorder worldwide (Fazel & Seewald, 2010), around 10-12% suffer from a major depression, 65% of the men and 45% of the women from a personality disorder and 4% of the prisoners suffer from a psychotic illness (Fazel & Lubbe, 2005). All these mental disorders are, of course, risk factors for suicide, self-harm and drug abuse within custody and after the release, as well as reoffending (Fazel & Seewald, 2010). For instance, a study of Shaw, Baker, Hunt and et al. found that 72% of the prisoners who committed suicide had a history of mental disorder (Fazel & Lubbe, 2005). This …show more content…
Nevertheless, researchers found that most prisoners start to adapt to the prison life after a couple of weeks or months and often their mental health state improves. Of course, there are exceptions. Besides, it is relevant to separate sentenced prisoner from remand prisoners when focusing on improvement or deterioration of mental health because remand prisoners often have not even access to work or the possibility to do other activities. After the discharge it is important that released prisoners are accompanied by a system for a few weeks especially access to a good medical service is relevant. Often prisoners are feeling more distressed because of the thought of being release and having nowhere to start from. Consequently, it is important that medical services are provided for prisoners by the