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Zielinski MJ, Jahangir T, Praseuth A, Wilson S, McLaughlan CL. Mental Health, Drug Use, and Programming: Applying a Needs Assessment Framework in Arkansas' Largest Jail. JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE 2024; 30:206-215. [PMID: 38842733 DOI: 10.1089/jchc.23.12.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Jail programming is rarely informed by site-specific health needs, diagnostic-specific screening tools that are validated, or the input of incarcerated individuals. Using the community needs assessment (CNA) framework, we aimed to fill these gaps among people incarcerated in the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (PCRDF), Arkansas' largest jail. Participants were 179 adults at the PCRDF who completed surveys and open-ended questions focused on (a) their mental and behavioral health and (b) programming needs at the facility. Using a concurrent transformative mixed-methods design, we descriptively analyzed surveys and conducted content analysis of the open-ended questions. Over half of participants reported clinically significant anxiety (62.6%), post-traumatic stress disorder (53.1%), and/or depression (50.3%) symptoms; positive substance use disorder screening was especially common (91.7%). Nearly all (97%) individuals queried desired more programming, with the most desired being mental health and substance use programs. Other desired programs included physical health, education, community reintegration, family support, recreation, nutrition, religious/spiritual services, and meditation. Our CNA ensured the input of those directly impacted during program-focused decision making and identified strategies to effectively implement and sustain jail-based programs. Such assessments can be a potential mechanism for addressing the burden of mental and behavioral health problems in jail populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Zielinski
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Tasfia Jahangir
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amanda Praseuth
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Stephanie Wilson
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Cassandra L McLaughlan
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Santoriello C, De Rosa C, Rufo C, Romano F, Termoli G, Fiorillo G, Caprio L, Vitolo M, Pagano AM. Suicide Risk Screening and Assessment before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in New Inmates. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:100. [PMID: 38201006 PMCID: PMC10779268 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Suicide is the main cause of death in Italian prisons. The largest number of inmates who killed themselves was recorded during three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore psychosocial risk factors for suicide among inmates incarcerated before and after the onset of COVID-19. (2) Methods: At prison reception, inmates underwent clinical interviews and were assessed using the Blaauw Scale and Suicide Assessment Scale. Psychological distress, measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-R, was compared between inmates admitted before and after COVID-19. Regression analyses were run to examine psychosocial vulnerabilities associated with suicidal intent in newly incarcerated individuals at risk of suicide. (3) Results: Among the 2098 newly admitted inmates (93.7% male) aged 18 to 87 years (M = 39.93; SD = 12.04), 1347 met the criteria for suicide risk, and 98 exhibited high suicidal intent. Inmates who entered prison after the onset of COVID-19 were older and had fewer social relationships. They had a higher prevalence of recidivism and substance abuse, along with elevated levels of psychological distress. An increase in perceived loss of control, anergia, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation emerged as the factors most strongly associated with high suicidal intent. (4) Conclusions: These findings support the value of psychosocial screening in promptly identifying inmates at risk of suicide, enabling the implementation of targeted, multi-professional interventions. Future research should replicate these results, with a focus on longitudinal studies that monitor the same inmates throughout their incarceration period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Santoriello
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale U.O.S.D. Department of Adults and Minors Healthcare, Criminal Area, Local Health Authority of Salerno, 84132 Salerno, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Antonio Maria Pagano
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale U.O.S.D. Department of Adults and Minors Healthcare, Criminal Area, Local Health Authority of Salerno, 84132 Salerno, Italy
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Mendes R, Baccon WC, Laranjeira C. Fear of COVID-19, Mental Health and Resilient Coping in Young Adult Male Inmates: A Portuguese Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085510. [PMID: 37107792 PMCID: PMC10138818 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Inmates are highly exposed to mental and physical disorders. Therefore, periodic screening of their mental health and other health risks is required. This study aims to investigate the perceived fear of COVID-19 and the psychological impact of the pandemic in a sample of young adult male inmates. An institutional-based quantitative cross-sectional study design was performed. Data collection took place from July to September 2022 at a juvenile prison in the central region of Portugal. Data were collected using questionnaires on demographic and health characteristics; fear of COVID-19; depression, anxiety and stress levels; and resilient coping. The sample included 60 male inmates imprisoned for over 2 years. Stress was the most common symptom among inmates (75%), followed by anxiety (38.3%) and depression (36.7%). The mean score on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was 17.38 ± 4.80, indicating relatively low fear levels. Low resilient scores were found in 38 participants (63.3%). Participants reported moderately high ranges of 3.62 ± 0.87 regarding mental health perception, 3.73 ± 0.95 for physical health perception, and 3.27 ± 0.82 for global health concerning the previous month. The Pearson correlation matrix indicated significant and moderate to strong correlations between fear of COVID-19 and mental health-related variables (p < 0.001). The predicting factors of fear of COVID-19 were identified by deploying a multiple linear regression model. We found four predictors: age, perception of mental health, and overall levels of anxiety and stress (R2 = 0.497). Fear of a given scenario or factor may shift with time. Therefore, long-term research is needed to evaluate whether fear of COVID-19 is adaptive or long-reactive in victims. Our study can assist policymakers, mental health and public health experts, and others in recognizing and managing pandemic-related fears and mental health symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute Mendes
- Estabelecimento Prisional de Leiria, Avenida da Comunidade Europeia, No 1-Apartado 460, 2410-755 Leiria, Portugal
- School of Health Sciences of Polytechnic, University of Leiria, Campus 2, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Wanessa Cristina Baccon
- Postgraduate Nursing Program, State University of Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790-Zona 7, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Carlos Laranjeira
- School of Health Sciences of Polytechnic, University of Leiria, Campus 2, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André—66–68, Campus 5, Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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Thekkumkara S, Jagannathan A, Muliyala KP, Joseph A, Murthy P. Feasibility testing of a peer support programme for prisoners with common mental disorders and substance use. CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH : CBMH 2023. [PMID: 37038899 DOI: 10.1002/cbm.2287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of mental disorders and substance use among prisoners is high. Convicted prisoners of 'good behaviour' can be part of a peer support system in prisons. AIM To evaluate the feasibility of a peer support programme for prisoners with common mental disorders and substance use in prison. METHOD The study used a mixed method research design, with a quasi-experimental approach (single group pre-post without control). It was conducted in two phases: Phase I. Thirty-five peers/convicted prisoners were recruited through advertisements on the prisoners' community radio station. Volunteers with good behaviour reports were given training over 5 days to recognise mental and substance use disorders and provide basic peer support in prison; their attitudes and knowledge were tested before and after the training. PHASE II Feasibility of the peer support programme was tested by (i) recording the number of cases identified and referred, (ii) pre- and post-evaluation of well-being, coping, and symptom severity of those supported and (iii) evaluating qualitatively the experience of the peer supporters and service users. RESULTS Thirty-five peer supporters identified 49 cases over 3 months. These cases showed significant improvement in well-being (Z -1.962; p < 0.050) and reduction in symptom severity (Z -1.913; 0.056). There was a significant improvement in the peers supporters' self-esteem from pre- to post-training (t -3.31; p < 0.002), improvement in their benevolence (t -4.37; p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in their negative attitudes to mental illness (Z -3.518; p < 0.001). A thematic model of peer support encompassed self-experienced benefits for the peer supporter, wider recognition of peer supporters in the prison, challenges to this kind of support, experience of training and visions for future work. CONCLUSION The peer support programme was experienced positively by the peer-supporters and supported. Common mental disorders, substance use and suicidality were recognised and appropriately referred. A full-scale evaluation of this promising programme is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ambi Joseph
- MSW, Social Worker, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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Al-Kassab-Córdova A, Silva-Perez C, Quevedo-Ramirez A, Mendoza Lugo MG, Azcarruz-Asencios J, Castañeda-Montenegro G, Bravo-Cucci S, Maguina JL. Associated factors to depression diagnosed during incarceration in Peruvian male prisoners: a sub-analysis of the national census of prison population. Int J Prison Health 2022; 19:474-488. [PMID: 36573688 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-03-2022-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Depression has become a major health concern, particularly in developing countries. This disorder is highly prevalent among certain vulnerable populations, such as prisoners. In Peru, prisons are overcrowded, and the health of prisoners is neglected. Thus, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression diagnosed during incarceration in male inmates from all Peruvian prisons and assess its associated factors. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the secondary data analysis of the National Census of Prison Population 2016 in Peru. This study included records of prisoners who reported whether they were diagnosed with depression by a health-care professional after admission into the prisons. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed. FINDINGS Of the 63,312 prisoners included in this study, 1,007 reported an in-prison diagnosis of depression by a health-care professional, which represents a prevalence of 1.59%. Substance use disorder (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 3.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.91-5.03), hypertension (aPR 7.20; 95% CI: 6.28-8.24) and previous discrimination (aPR 1.97; 95% CI: 1.62-2.40) were strongly associated with depression, even when adjusting for multiple confounders. Other directly associated variables were, for example, violence during childhood, infrequent visits in prison and diabetes. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The right of prisoners to adequate health care is being neglected in Peru. Mental health is a cornerstone of health quality. Acknowledging which factors are associated with depression in prison is important to implement strategies to improve the mental health of prisoners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al-Kassab-Córdova
- Centro de Excelencia en Estudios Económicos y Sociales en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Claudia Silva-Perez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | | | | | - Sergio Bravo-Cucci
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Peru
| | - Jorge L Maguina
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru and Dirección de Investigación, Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación, Lima, Peru
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