Question

About 1 out of every 5 prisoners has a severe and persistent mental disorder, a number that has tripled since the mid-1980s.

1. Discuss possible reasons for this surge in recent years.
2. Discuss the issues that it presents for the prisoner, the justice system, and the community at large.
3. Brainstorm ideas for how to tackle the problem of the connection between incarcerations and mental disorders.

Answer 1

REASONS FOR MENTAL DISORDER IN PRISONERS

• Stress of imprisonment
• Overcrowding
• Various forms of violence
• Enforced solitude
• Lack of privacy
• Lack of meaningful activity
• Isolation from social networks
• Insecurity about social prospects
• Inadequate mental health services

EFFECT OF MENTAL DISORDER ON PRISONER,JUSTICE SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY

PRISONER

• Suicidal tendencies and self harm
• Margination,stigma and discrimination in the social,economic and health spheres
• Violence and victimisation
• Premature mortality
• Reoffending on release

JUSTICE SYSTEM

• Management and care of mantally ill prisoners
• Economic loss
• Extended proceedings of case
• Violence with in the jail
• Altered and disturbed working environment in jail

COMMUNITY

• Violence
• Disturbed social setup
• Family and community issues
• Discrimination and isolation of mentally ill prisoner

SOLUTIONS

• Divert people with mental disorders towards the mental health system
• Provide prisoners with access to appropriate mental health treatment and care
• Provide training to staff
• Provide education to prisoners and families on mental health issues
• Provide high standards in prison management
• Ensure that the need of prisoners are included in national health policies and plans
• Promote the adoption of mental health legislation that protects the human right
• Encourage intersectoral collaboration