Mental Health: Inside the Walls of a Broken System Part 4 of 5: Healthcare

America's prison system is one of the largest in the world, housing over two million prisoners. However, unfortunately, many people don't actively engage with and speak about how prisoners in America are denied necessary rehabilitation efforts and medical assistance. As a result, prisoners' mental health deteriorates rapidly, resulting in a severe lack of resources, care, and concern for their overall well-being.
 
Prisoners are individuals who have been disconnected from society because they acted against the law. However, that should not make them lose their human rights, particularly regarding their physical and mental health. Sadly, American prisons continue to deprive prisoners of essential medical and rehabilitation care, leading to long-lasting and severe mental and physical health problems.
 
The health care that prisoners receive in America's prisons is inadequate, violating human rights standards. It is unacceptable that prisoners routinely receive inadequate medical care. It has been well reported in the media that inmates regularly experience untreated or poorly treated ailments, severe chronic pain, and even die from medical negligence.

 
Moreover, it has been noted that the long-term implications of this type of medical neglect can have mental health effects, including anxiety, depression, and suicide. The lack of rehabilitation and access to mental health services is also a contributing factor. Currently, according to the National Institute of Justice, over 64% of inmates have a mental illness. Still, only 19% of state and federal prisons can provide some level of care.
 
To make matters worse, some prisons use segregation as a form of punishment. Solitary confinement significantly affects an inmate's mental health by increasing feelings of hopelessness and depression, among other mental health disorders. According to the American Psychological Association, prisoners in solitary confinement often develop psychotic symptoms and suicidal tendencies and are at greater risk of committing suicide.
 
In addition to the lack of medical care and rehabilitation, the overall conditions of the prison system play a role in the well-being of inmates. Overcrowding, harsh living conditions, and violence make prisons an unsafe environment for anyone, particularly those at risk of experiencing physical or mental health problems. This harsh environment affects inmates' mental health, resulting in increased signs of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
 

In 2019, the American Journal of Public Health published a report that analyzed the health status and experiences of prisoners in the United States. According to the publication, correctional environments impact an inmate's health in various ways. It was noted that these environments can result in harm to the individual's physical and mental health, which can lead to a rise in medical costs and further strain the healthcare system.
 
This report found that inmates have a higher incidence of chronic illnesses, including hepatitis, HIV, and other infectious diseases, than the general population. Additionally, inmates often engage in high-risk behaviors like drug abuse, which can lead to long-term negative health consequences and acute health complications.
 
The financial burdens associated with providing medical care and executing rehabilitation programs for the health of America's prisoners also affect their well-being. Unfortunately, due to political affiliations and bureaucratic structures, most politicians do not prioritize prison health, resulting in a cycle of inadequate funding for prison healthcare. When healthcare programs are offered, they often have to fit within tight budget constraints, leaving little room for programs that could greatly benefit inmates' physical and mental health.
 

As a result, inmates cannot access the necessary resources and care to positively impact their mental health. The long-term outcome of this neglect is an exorbitant cost to the criminal justice sector and society at large. Mental health disorders prevent many prisoners from successfully reintegrating back into their communities, resulting in recidivism or relapse.
 
To address prisoners' increasing mental health challenges, both government agencies and non-profit organizations have proposed a shift toward evidence-based therapeutic interventions. These programs aim to focus on the root causes of inmates' behaviors while also addressing their underlying mental health concerns.
 
Significant research has shown that using evidence-based therapeutic interventions or trauma-informed care can significantly reduce the risk of recidivism, improve the health outcomes of prisoners after they return to society, and contribute to overall public safety. Utilizing various intervention programs that target mental health care will help reduce the incidence of mental illnesses and decrease the need for mental health services for inmates.

 
Unfortunately, despite the progress made in implementing evidence-based programs, many prisons in America still lack the resources to adequately address prisoners' mental health. As a result, prisoners will continue to suffer the detrimental effects of mental health disorders and a lack of care.
 
When prisoners are released, they face challenges adjusting to life outside the prison walls. Many of them have problems finding jobs, securing housing, and reconnecting with their loved ones, making the transition back to society difficult. Therefore, it is crucial to integrate programs that provide services like job training, educational programs, and access to counseling during an individual's time in prison.
 
In conclusion, prisoners in American prisons are facing severe mental health issues due to a lack of access to rehabilitation efforts and medical assistance. The failure to address these issues violates human rights standards and poses a significant mental strain on the inmates. Solving this problem requires a shift towards evidence-based therapeutic interventions, improving the  0 overall conditions of the prison system, and increasing funding and support for programs that will address the root causes of inmates' behavioral issues. Ultimately, prioritizing and addressing the mental health needs of prisoners will help reduce recidivism rates and promote the well-being of both current and released inmates, as well as society as a whole.