Mental health is very much affected by the prison atmosphere. But let’s have a look at what is mental health. Mental health is a feeling of well-being that allows us to cope with pain, disillusionment, and sadness. It necessitates a sincere conviction in our own and others’ worth and integrity. Prison should provide a possibility for inmates to… develop their personal lives while avoiding harming themselves or others. For this to be possible,
For this to happen, prison officers must:
- A feeling of protection
- Be aided in generating insights into their criminal behavior, and
- Be treated with respect and positive expectations
According to the Prison Policy, each year in the United States, 10.6 million people are arrest. And 600,000 people are sentence to prison. Many people who are involve in the justice system have mental health problems. In addition, some people who were previously consider mentally healthy establish mental health symptoms while in prison.
Being imprison can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health. Pre-existing conditions can deteriorate, and new conditions can emerge. Unfortunately, many people who have been involve in the justice system are publish back into the community without ever obtaining any kind of treatment.
Mental Health Issues Among Prison Inmates
According to the American Psychological Association, 64 percent of those sentenced to prison in jail. 54 percent of those incarcerated in state prison. And 45 percent of those incarcerated in federal prison have mental health issues.
Substance abuse is also common among prison inmates. Mental health problems and substance abuse problems frequently occur together. In the United States, rising incarceration rates have disproportionately impacted racial and ethnic minorities. In 2021, 38.5 percent of those imprisoned will be Black, and 30% will be Hispanic. According to the American Psychological Association, between 10% and 25% of incarcerated people suffer from a “serious mental illness,” such as schizophrenia. It is approximate that about 5% of the general population suffers from a serious mental illness. So yes Mental health is affect by prison atmosphere.
Mental disabilities
Many other incarcerated people may suffer from clinical depression, mood disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These concerns may be well before conditions for some people. Others’ problems may have begun after their incarceration. Disorders are frequently overlook by both inmates and prison staff. Individuals with mental health issues may respond to the prison system in what appears to be a “normal” way to a systemic setting; this presumption prevents any recognition of the problem, leaving people with mental health issues to stay silent.
Black people are more likely to be imprisone before going to trial, to fare poorly in plea bargains that could have kept them out of the correctional facility, to face execution, and to be criminally charge with drug crimes.
While some believe that putting more people behind bars makes communities safer, statistics show that crime does not necessarily decrease. For example, there were ten times as many drug offenders in prison in 2014 as there were 30 or 40 years ago, but the number of illegal crimes had not decreased. So yes Mental health is affect by prison atmosphere.
The Impact of Prison on Mental Health
The Impact of Prison on Mental Health Incarceration has a significant impact on mental health for several reasons:
They are no longer known as contributing Members of Society.
When people are lock up, they can lose their sense of purpose. Prisons are not require to pay their inmates a living wage, and they can charge exorbitant fees for phone calls with their families. As a result, a justice-involved person may find it difficult to donate to their family’s economic or personal needs. The psychological well-being of anyone can be seriously harm by a supposed lack of role in life.
Their Personalities are Lost
If someone is imprison, they lose their reputation for their professions, such as a musician or delivery driver, as well as their skills, skills and abilities, and knowledge. Losing one’s sense of self can be disconcerting, confusing, and distressing.
Cut Off From Their Loved Ones
They are no longer able to spend time with their family members and friends. Isolation and loneliness are exacerbate by missing their dear ones and not being a part of everyday life. They also can’t be around for their dear ones, so they may be concerned about those they can’t help, such as an elderly relative. They may also be concerned about missing out on a minor child or being unable to be present for a partner.
Stress is exacerbate by the physical environment.
Concrete walls, a lack of natural light, and a general lack of stimulation can all have a negative impact on mental health. People in prison have few options for stress relief. And their sterile surroundings are likely to encourage tiredness, which can be stressful in and of itself. So yes Mental health is affect by prison atmosphere.
According to research, incarceration has a negative impact on the staff.
Individuals may not get out of their mitochondria as often as they should due to frequent understaffing, which can add even more anxiety to their regular lifestyle. This can lead to a difficult-to-break stress cycle.
Violence Enduring
While imprison, inmates are frequently subject to violence. They may see fights break out during eating meals or during free time. They may also witness or even become victims of acts of violence among guards and incarcerated peers. So yes Mental health is affected by prison atmosphere.
According to studies, being expose to violence while incarcerate causes emotional distress. Furthermore, exposure to violent media has a serious influence on how well people modify to life after they’ve been free from prison. Those who have been expose to more violent acts are more likely to have difficulty reintegrating into society.
Isolation from others
Whether people are place in solitary confinement for disciplinary reasons or because of a safety concern, being lock away alone for 23 hours a day can have a significant impact on their mental health. Solitary confinement has been consider a human rights violation by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations, but it is still widely used in the United States.
According to studies, the majority of people held in custody suffer from “serious mental illness.” These circumstances may have contributed to their behavioral problems in the first place. Solitary confinement can make symptoms worse. Others, on the other hand, are more inclined to produce mental health problems as a result of their isolation.
Treatment Deficit
Even when mental health issues are recognize, disorders are frequently left untreated. Most prisons are unable to provide adequate mental health treatment due to a lack of funds. Those who do provide some kind of service may be limit in the treatments they can provide. Furthermore, services provided in prison may not be very effective. When people lack cognitive and emotional safety, it’s difficult for them to open up to others. Even if they want to take medicine to help with a circumstance when they were concede to prison, many imprison people may not given adequate medication. According to a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Public Health, 26% of violent offenders were patients with mental medical conditions at some point during their time in prison.
As a result, rather than being house in a state-run facility, many people with mental illnesses now spend considerable time in jail. According to The Treatment Advocacy Center’s research, the number of people with “serious mental illness” in jails is now ten times higher than in health care facilities.
However, more significant changes are required at the institutional and legal levels. Overall, increased access to care may help to reduce crime. Reducing recidivism rates may be as simple as treating people while they are incarcerate and providing long-term treatment after they are release.
