Depression in Prisoners: Normative Change and Predictors of Individual Change Over a One-Year Period

• In Event: Psychological Consequences of Correctional Systems Involvement

Abstract

Within U.S. state prisons, more than half of prisoners deal with mental health issues. During a time of mass incarceration, where more individuals are being incarcerated and released than ever before, understanding mental health among prisoners is necessary. While some research has looked at changes in mental health during incarceration, none have done so during the present era. In the current study, prisoners from two randomly selected prisons were administered the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck et al., 1961) twice, separated by a one-year period. Findings revealed that, when scores on the BDI were compared, depression levels were significantly lower the second time. Factors associated with changes in depression were also considered. Findings are discussed and policy implications are derived that may assist in correctional mental health treatment efforts.

Authors

• Brianne A. Kane, Sam Houston State University

• Brandy L. Blasko, Sam Houston State University