Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Administrative Segregation on Psychological Insecurity

• In Event: Movement and Isolation: Institutional Practices of Transfers and Segregation in Prisons

Abstract

This study examines the trajectories of inmate psychological insecurity in Administrative Segregation (AS), focusing on individuals with mental illness (MI). Drawing on the data from the Colorado prison system, the study analyzes mental health trends using three assessment tools: Beck Hopelessness Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Descriptive analyses reveal no uniform mental deterioration from AS, and regression models show no significant ASxMI interaction effects. However, given data limitations and unmeasured factors, the results require cautious interpretation. The study suggests a shift of focus from solely mitigating AS's negative effects to exploring approaches that promote inmate well-being and rehabilitation. The findings contribute to ongoing debates on AS's role in corrections, calling for policies that balance institutional control with humane treatment.

Author

• Minyoung Lee, Rutgers University-Newark