Pathology and Disruptiveness among Prison Inmates

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between mental health problems of prison inmates and the inmates' involvement in custodial violations. We find that mentally ill inmates have a higher rate of disciplinary infractions than other inmates, controlling for differences in social and criminal history. There are also indications that the rate of disciplinary infractions varies with the nature, severity, and chronicity of inmate mental health problems. We discuss these findings from a perspective that views disturbed and disruptive behavior as related manifestations of an impaired ability to cope with social situations.

Operationalizing risk: The influence of measurement choice on the prevalence and correlates of prison violence among incarcerated murderers

“…This finding was consistent with a significant body of data on rates of violence in and out of prison (see Cunningham & Sorensen, 2006a;Hirschi & Gottfredson, 1989;Toch & Adams, 1986;Wooldredge, 1991). Factors correlated with prison misconduct in the logistic regression models were consistent whether predicting potential violence, assaults, or assaults with serious injury.…”

Mental Health of Prisoners: Identifying Barriers to Mental Health Treatment and Medication Continuity

“…These prisoners are administered medication for several reasons, even though prisoners with less outwardly identifiable conditions do not receive medication. 3,4,22 First, inmates with severe mental health conditions are most likely to present with behavioral problems (for instance, violent tendencies by an inmate with schizophrenia) that could be interpreted as a security risk, forcing facilities to identify and treat (or worse, individually confine) these individuals. 22 Second, symptoms of depression, such as lack of motivation and emotional malaise, are to be expected when an offender becomes institutionalized and, therefore, may not be cause for alarm among prison staff.…”

“…3,4,22 First, inmates with severe mental health conditions are most likely to present with behavioral problems (for instance, violent tendencies by an inmate with schizophrenia) that could be interpreted as a security risk, forcing facilities to identify and treat (or worse, individually confine) these individuals. 22 Second, symptoms of depression, such as lack of motivation and emotional malaise, are to be expected when an offender becomes institutionalized and, therefore, may not be cause for alarm among prison staff. Finally, the neurological literature suggests that the symptoms of several mental health conditions (e.g., major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and anxiety) are dynamic 23 ; therefore, symptoms of an existing mental health condition may be dormant on entry into a new facility.…”

Mental Illness, Criminal Risk Factors and Parole Release Decisions

“…Mental health training for correctional officers is minimal (National Institute of Corrections, 2001) and may contribute to disciplinary infractions among inmates with MI. Higher rates of disciplinary infractions among mentally ill inmates (Adams, 1986;Ditton, 1999;Morgan, Edwards, & Faulkner, 1993;Toch & Adams, 1986;Toch, Adams, & Grant, 1989) likely lower their opportunity to participate in programming, as inmates who have accumulated disciplinary infractions are often prohibited from such programming and may be transferred to administrative segregation settings where such programming is nonexistent (Jemelka, Trupin, & Chiles, 1989). These disciplinary infractions and resultant exclusion from institutional programming are likely to negatively impact an inmate's chances at parole release (New Jersey Administrative Code, 2005b).…”