BarBara Fernandes dos santos et al.drogas e outras substâncias psicoativas, além de retardo mental leve. Com relação à depressão, prevaleceram os níveis moderado (33%) e grave (28%) entre os apenados do Presídio, enquanto que entre os apenados internados no Hospital de Custódia o nível moderado foi o maior (68%). Tais resultados podem ser justificados pela ausência de atenção em saúde mental na instituição comum, como existe entre os apenados do hospital de custódia. Os indicadores da depressão, tais como a irritabilidade, a tristeza e a insônia tiveram índices altos em ambos os grupos, enquanto que o menor indicador foi a ideação suicida. Sugerem-se estudos com amostras maiores e estratificadas em presídios comuns, tendo em vista a degradante situação do sistema prisional brasileiro. Palavras-chave: Apenados, Sistema prisional, Depressão. AbstractDepression involves social, biological factors and the psychic constitution of the subject. This study aimed to: a) identify the presence of depressive symptoms in convicts of the common prison system and convicts in custody hospital, diagnosed with psychiatric illness; b) to identify the social demographic profile of these convicts. It studied 36 male convicts, aged between 20 and 30 years, with 18 inmates of a custody hospital and 18 of a penitentiary complex in the city of Natal, Brazil. We used a data collection questionnaire and Beck-BDI scale for measuring depression. The results indicated individuals from low education, arrested for robbery and murder in both groups, and those in the Custody Hospital had diagnosis of mental disorders by use of multiple drugs and other psychoactive substances, as well as mental retardation. With respect to depression, prevailed moderate levels (33%) and severe (28%) among the inmates of the prison, while among inmates hospitalized in Custody Hospital moderate level was the highest (68%). These results can be explained by the lack of mental health care in the common institution, as there is among the inmates of the penitentiary hospital. The indicators of depression such as irritability, sadness and insomnia had higher rates in both groups, while the lowest indicator was suicidal ideation. Studies with larger stratified samples of common prisons are suggested considering the degrading situation of the Brazilian prison system.