Inmate Perceptions of Mental Health Services.

Abstract

With the increasing rise in the U.S. prison population, meeting the mental health needs of inmates before, during, and after incarceration remains an obstacle. What are the mental health experiences of inmates? For what types of problems are inmates willing to seek help, and what are the barriers to their service utilization? This study investigated inmates' attitudes and perceptions toward mental health services and examined whether these attitudes and perceptions vary with respect to ethnic group membership or among inmates of differing security levels. Implications of these findings for psychologists, including psychologists not employed in correctional settings, are highlighted.

Social‐cognitive determinants of help‐seeking for mental health problems among prison inmates

“…referral processes, Cox et al, 1989) and attitudinal barriers to seeking help (e.g. equating seeing a psychologist with mental illness, Morgan et al, 2004). Untreated offenders have higher rates of reoffending (Bakker and Riley, 1996;Douglas and Webster, 1999), and failure to report suicidal ideation may contribute to the comparatively high rate of prison suicides (Suicide Prevention Working Group, 1995;Fruehwald et al, 2003).…”

A Theoretical Framework for Goal‐directed Care within the Prison System

“…The equivalency principle is in effect regarding this health care: care within prison walls must strive to match that outside those walls. Within this principle, sound mental health for inmates is a fundamental component (Wilson, 2004;Lines, 2006Lines, , 2008. People in prison have the right to a standard of mental health care equivalent to that available outside of prisons Of course, we cannot lose sight of the societal interests in a penal context.…”

“…Also, Morgan et al (2004) did not present exact figures on specific needs, but pointed out that the subjects in their study presented a variety of issues or problems, with a preference for individual counseling, provided by a well-trained professional.…”

“…fear of care, fear of being labeled mentally ill, fear of emotion, social norms, self disclosure, self-esteem, distrust, cost, etc. ; Mathias & Sindberg, 1985;Mobley, 1999;Kupers, 2001;Morgan et al, 2004;Vogel et al 2007). …”

“…This culture consists primarily of competition, aggression, and limited emotional sincerity. In a prison's hard environment, seeking help is likely to be seen as weak, a sign of vulnerability, and inappropriate (Deane et al, 1999;Morgan et al, 2004). Kupers (2005) refers to these barriers surrounding mental health treatment in prison as 'toxic masculinity'.…”