Prison activities and mental distress

• In Event: Mental Health and Trauma in Corrections

Abstract

Research consistently demonstrates that mental illness is a widespread concern within correctional facilities. Prisons, designed for punishment, incapacitation, and rehabilitation, have become de facto mental health institutions. While much research has focused on solitary confinement and social isolation in prisons, less attention has been given to how other specific features of the prison routine may be related to mental health. The current study examines how factors exacerbate or attenuate mental health issues among the incarcerated. Using data from the Survey of Prison Inmates, I examine the extent to which aspects of the prison routine, including physical exercise, job training, and having a work assignment, differentially impact mental distress. Findings indicate a significant interaction. Specifically, while these activities benefit all incarcerated individuals, their importance is heightened for those with mental illness. This study emphasizes the importance of prison activities that offer stability, engagement, and purpose, particularly for individuals with preexisting mental health disorders, as protective factors against mental stress and deterioration.

Author

• Mindy Bradley, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville