Violence and Victimization in Undiagnosed Mentally Disordered Inmates in Federal Prisons

• In Event: Victimization Behind Bars: Exploring the Victim-Offender Overlap and Mental Illness in Incarcerated Populations

Abstract

Incarceration rates have been stabilizing across many states. Unfortunately, the number of individuals in prisons and jails suffering from mental health disorders continue to rise. Current studies suggest violence and victimization can, in part, be a contributing factor to this trend. However, previous research focuses on serious mental illness (SMI) and those who have been diagnosed by a professional. This study uses secondary data to compare the rate of individuals reporting symptoms of mental illness to those who have been diagnosed by a professional in federal prisons. Preliminary results suggest the current research is missing a population of mentally disordered inmates who remain undiagnosed in correctional facilities.

Author

• Kayla G. Jachimowski, Indiana University of Pennsylvania