Mental health behind bars: Psychiatric morbidity among female prisoners in Southern India

ABSTRACT Background: Prisoners endure life in confinement, separated from society. The harsh living conditions and stressful environment in prisons, among various other factors, increase the likelihood of inmates developing mental disorders. Female prisoners frequently encounter heightened psychosocial challenges due to a combination of factors, including the demanding prison environment and insufficient familial support. Hence, the present study was conducted to identify the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in female prisoners. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among convicted female inmates of the Central Prison of Telangana after taking consent and required permissions from authority. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used to assess psychiatric morbidity among 82 female prisoners. Results: The mean age (± standard deviation) of the study population was 44.42 (±14.12) years. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity according to BPRS scoring was 76.83%. 54.87% showed somatic concerns, 43.90% depressive symptoms, 30.48% anxiety symptoms, and feelings of guilt present in 21.95%. Psychotic symptoms such as suspiciousness present in 6.09%, hallucinatory behavior in 2.43%, unusual thought content in 5%, blunted affect in 2.43%, and conceptual disorganization in 6.09%. Grandiosity present in one candidate and multiple psychiatric symptoms were observed in many candidates. Conclusion: Within most societies, people with mental disorders face stigma and discrimination. This stigma usually persists in prison, with the person facing isolation due to imprisonment, further affecting their mental health. Data from the study suggest a high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among female prisoners. Data from the study suggests a high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among female prisoners, with somatic symptoms being the most common, followed by depressive symptoms. Many candidates had multiple psychiatric symptoms present simultaneously. There is a need for proper identification and treatment of mental illness among this underprivileged group.