Exploring Mental Health Service Utilization: Insights from a Nationally Representative State Prison Sample

• In Event: Emerging Research on Disparities and Inequalities in Prison and Prisoner Reentry Experiences

Abstract

Mental health problems are highly prevalent in the incarcerated population. Recent estimates suggest that half of state prison inmates have symptoms of a mental health problem prior to admission. At the same time, less than half of symptomatic individuals report treatment utilization, and upon incarceration this number drops even lower, to about a third of inmates. Research has identified the continuation of mental health service utilization during a traumatic or stressful life event as a vital component of treatment among the general population. Entrance into a correctional facility can be viewed as a life-altering event, yet little is known about the predictors of continuation and desistance of service utilization among the inmate population. Accordingly, the goal of this study is to systematically assess correlates of service continuation and desistance upon entry in to the state prison system using a large, nationally representative sample of inmates in state facilities. Results and policy implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Micaela Alvarado, Sam Houston State University

• Rachel Severson, University of South Florida

• Elisa Toman, Sam Houston State University