273966 Mental health needs of homeless prisoners: A national study

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Cassandra Ramdath, PhD Student , Department of Criminal Justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice - City University of New York, New York, NY
Background/Purpose: Research demonstrates that homelessness is associated with mental health disorders. People with these disorders are more likely to be arrested and incarcerated. This study examines the prevalence of mental health problems in U.S. State and Federal Prisons, focusing on inmates with a history of homelessness. It is hypothesized that inmates who have been homeless are at higher risk for mental health problems.

Methods: Data are from the 2004 Survey of Inmates in Federal and State Facilities (N=18,185). Mental health items asked whether inmates had been hospitalized or medicated since incarceration. Multivariate binary logistic regression examined whether history of homelessness affected the likelihood of having mental health problems, while controlling for demographic and socioeconomic variables.

Results: Of those inmates with a history of homelessness, 30% report mental health problems since incarceration, compared to 16% for those who were never homelessness. In the multivariate model, history of homelessness is associated with increased odds of mental health problems in prison (OR = 1.518, p=000). Homeless inmates were 52% more likely to have been medicated or hospitalized for mental health problems since incarceration.

Discussion: Mental health problems are prevalent among homeless inmates and may be easily detected in prison screening. Failing to plan for ongoing treatment may lead to increased symptoms, putting the individual and others in the community at risk upon reentry. Mental health care in reintegration plans that begin immediately upon release should be developed to preserve efforts made in prison, enhance public safety, and promote population health.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Compare the prevalence of mental health problems for inmates in US prisons who have experienced homelessness compared to those who have not. Identify mental health needs of inmates, focusing specifically on developing a continuity of care between incarceration and reintegration. Discuss the impact of inmate mental health on public safety and population health

Keywords: Correctional Health Care, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral student doing my dissertation on health issues in correctional facilities and how this relates to population health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.