Psychiatric morbidity among women prisoners newly committed and amongst remanded and sentenced women in the Irish prison system

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, substance misuse problems and related health and social problems among women prisoners newly committed and a cross-section remanded and sentenced in the Irish prison population. In 2002 women represented 10.7% (1043) of all persons committed to the Irish Prison system, and 3.3% (104) of the daily average number of persons in custody. We surveyed psychiatric morbidity in these two groups to assess the need for psychiatric services for women prisoners, and to compare Irish morbidity with an international average.Method: We interviewed 94 newly committed women prisoners within 72 hours of committal, representing approximately 9% of female committals per year. We also interviewed a cross sectional sample of 92 women, representing approximately 90% of all women in custody. Mental illness and substance misuse was measured using the SADS-L, SODQ and a structured interview.Results: Five (5.4%) of the committal and 5 (5.4%) of the cross-sectional sample had a psychotic illness within the previous six months. 8 (8.5%) of the committals and 15 (16.3%) of the women in the cross-sectional sample had a major depressive disorder in the last six months. 8 (8.6%) committals and 14 (15.2%) in the cross-sectional sample had an anxiety disorder within the last six months. 61 (65.6%) of the women interviewed at committal and 61 (65.2%) of the cross-sectional sample had a substance misuse problem in the last six months.Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of mental illness and substance misuse problems amongst women newly committed to prison and in a cross section of those remanded or sentenced in prison in Ireland. We found evidence of a cycle of deprivation and institutionalisation. These findings highlight the need for the integration of community and forensic psychiatric services, and for ongoing collaboration with drug services.

Características, sintomas depressivos e fatores associados em mulheres encarceradas no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

“…Esse dado é confirmado pelo estudo de Johnson 4 , o qual pontua que 41% das mulheres encarceradas fecharam os critérios para dependência de substância psicoativa e 73% apresentaram problemas de saúde mental ou emocional seis meses antes de serem presas. Também reforça essas conclusões outro estudo 24 , que salienta existirem poucas diferenças significativas entre as amostras de presas recém-ingressadas na prisão (poucos dias após a reclusão) e as presas com maior tempo no cárcere (amostra transversal). Este estudioso considera que as altas taxas de problemas de saúde mental ocorrem em um contexto de baixo desenvolvimento educacional, desemprego, problemas de moradia e um ciclo de interrupção familiar e institucionalização; fora, portanto, do ambiente prisional.…”

Treating substance abuse is not enough: Comorbidities in consecutively admitted female prisoners

“…More recent research from Australia showed that 62% of female prisoners had used illegal drugs in the six months prior to arrest without specifying whether criteria for abuse or dependence were fulfilled [11]. A study of newly committed female prisoners conducted in Ireland had reported 48% prevalence of drug use disorders [12]. Heroine had been identified as the most frequent substance causing dependence in female prisoners in the UK [13,14].…”

Mulheres no cárcere: significados e práticas cotidianas de enfrentamento com ênfase na resiliência

“…Segundo Moraes e Dalgalarrondo (2006), em geral, antes do encarceramento não possuíam estabilidade trabalhista, pois desempenhavam ocupações de baixa qualificação com salários proporcionais ou estavam em situação de desemprego. Alguns estudos indicam que estas populações trazem consigo histórias de vida marcadas por um precário vínculo familiar, perda precoce dos pais, baixos índices de sociabilidade e acesso à educação, e por diversas formas de violência (WRIGHT et al, 2006;TYE;MULLEN, 2006;GUNTER et al, 2008). Nesse sentido, a prisão para a população feminina implica em problemas ainda mais impactantes, a exemplo da maior estigmatização social e altos níveis de problemas de saúde com ênfase no sofrimento mental (MORAES; DALGALARRONDO, 2006;GUNTER et al, 2008;CANAZARO;ARGIMON, 2010).…”

“…Antes da prisão, a maioria das presas encontrava-se desempregada ou ocupava baixos cargos profissionais (empregada doméstica, auxiliar de serviços gerais, ambulantes). A baixa ocupação laborativa também corrobora outras pesquisas (WRIGHT et al, 2006;TYE;MULLEN, 2006;GUNTER et al, 2008).…”