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Rebecka Cutler
Sawyer Smallwood
Eric Martinez
Professor Sieverts
English 2010

Therapy and Medication in Prison

Many inmates incarcerated in prison have some form of mental illness that they have
been struggling with for a long period of time. Once they have gone through an evaluation by a
doctor most are given some form of medication to help cope with their illness. There is also the
option of one on one and group therapy to help them with their conditions and better keep them
under control. Both options are viable and seem to have an extreme impact on inmates and their
behavior. One on one and group therapy have a much stronger impact on inmates and gives them
the tools they need in order to understand and cope with the illnesses they have.
Dean Aufderheide an editor at Health Affairs Blog wrote an article in 2014 stating that
more mentally ill individuals are being incarcerated. Aufderheide used statistics from the Bureau
of Justice that stated that twenty percent of individuals incarcerated in prison
or jail have a mental illness that they are dealing with. On top of that
about thirty to sixty percent are dealing with substance abuse.
Inmates dealing with both conditions is even higher than both
percentages. 75% of females and 50% of males in state prisons, and 75
percent of females and 63 percent of male inmates in jails, will
experience a mental health problem requiring mental health services in any given year
(Aufderheide).

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Inmates are being diagnosed with a range of different mental illnesses. Many inmates
experience psychotic disorders, and major mood disorders. Data from the American Psychiatric
Association in 2012 states between 2.3 and 3.9 percent of inmates in state prisons have
schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders; 13.1 to 18.6 percent have major depression; and
between 2.1 and 4.3 percent suffer from bipolar disorder. In the United States forty percent of
individuals with severe mental illness will have spent time in jail, prison, or a community
correctional facility to rehabilitate (Aufderheide). These inmates are also more likely to be under
the influence of drugs or alcohol than other inmates when committing their offence (Center for
Substance Abuse Treatment).
Jay M. Pomerantz a journalist for Medscape discusses the year 2000 prison census
reported that nearly 13% of inmates in state-run institutions including 19% of inmates who were
mentally ill were receiving a form of mental health care
by professionals who were trained, to help them on a
regular basis. Also, ten percent of the United States
inmates about (114,400 individuals) were receiving
psychotic medications such as anti-depressants,
stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers. These
medications are common in facilities specializing in mental health confinement and
approximately 45% of inmates in these facilities are being medicated. These medications are
given to about 22% of females in confinement facilities.
Michelle Andrews, a Kaiser Health News columnist who has been studying health care
for more than 15 years, explained how much money is being put toward these medical treatments
for the inmates in prison. Andrews stated, state spending on prison health care grew to $7.7

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billion by 2011, with increases of more than 13 percent in half of [the] states. Individuals who
dont have health insurance when incarcerated typically dont get
the proper health care and treatments they need for their
conditions. Healthcare.gov explained that even when inmates have
insurance in prison they are still prohibited from using a private
market plan due to their situation. Inmates are charged five dollars
to visit with their doctor and three dollars to visit a nurse. If
inmates are unable to pay for the visit they are ultimately not charged since prisons must uphold
the eighth amendment which states there will be no cruel or unusual punishments (Pomerantz,
Andrews, Healthcare).
These statistics show us the expenses and medical treatments offered but it does not show
whether this is an effective system, or if these inmates are still offered these types of resources
after they are released back into society. A study took place in New Jersey where Wolf and his
colleagues surveyed 17 jail officials in regards to the release planning of individuals who are
mentally ill compared to other inmates with illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. Only ten out of
seventeen jail officials reported that, they provide after release care for fewer than 10% of
inmates with severe mental illness. This means that whatever medication these inmates have
access to in prison will no longer be accessible once released unless they have benefits already in
order. In most cases these inmates are left with no continuing medication for their mental
conditions. Half of the jail officials also reported that they dont provide care for inmates who are
mentally ill with medications, or prescriptions as soon as they are released back into society.
Eight jails provide care for people with HIV/AIDS (Pomerantz). Therefore, inmates with mental
illnesses are left with no medication and must figure out how to provide it for themselves. In

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many cases these inmates end up committing a crime or returning to old habits. They end up on
the streets with a need for medication and find those meds illegally (Pomerantz).
A study was done on 337 inmates released from prison that had mental illnesses ranging
from schizophrenia, major affective disorders and borderline personality disorders. Within the
337 inmates about 70% were charged with a new crime, 10% committed some type of felony,
and 2% committed serious crimes that include rape or homicide, over a 31-month period. These
statistics show that there is a lack of effective treatment in order for inmates to be prepared with
the challenges that come once released from prison. There needs to be someone following up
with them and helping them find resources needed once they are released back into society in
order to live a better life (Pomerantz). The problem is that once inmates are
released from prison many lack the resources and financial stability
they need to continue taking the medication they were given while
in prison. This lack of medication leads to them being incarcerated once more
because they are unable to cope with the conditions that they have and end up
committing the same crimes they had in the past (Pomerantz). Different types of therapy are
proven to be more effective in treating some of these illnesses than medication. With one on one
and group therapies, inmates will have a better understanding of how their mental disabilities
work. This gives them the opportunity to gain skills and understanding. They will know how to
deal with their conditions when difficult circumstances arise and will be more prepared to face
the challenges that come once entering the new world.
Therapy is also a step in the right direction for all inmates that are battling with an
addiction. Many of these inmates are used to taking some form of illegal drug or alcoholic
beverage to feel more relaxed. If prison systems continue to offer them medications just to fix

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their problems the addiction continues. Once the medication is taken they will just turn back to
the same addictions they had before getting incarcerated (Center for Substance Abuse
Treatment). In 2000, 13% of state prison inmates which included 79% of individuals who are
suffering from mental illness are receiving counseling or therapy from
a trained professional. Group counseling allows the inmates an
opportunity to address underlying psychological and behavioral
problems that have contributed to their substance abuse. It is also an
opportunity for them to understand how to communicate and interact with other individuals and
discuss emotional topics that help them become more understanding of their mental illnesses.
During one on once sessions with councilors these inmates are coached on relapse prevention
techniques to help them better understand what to do when faced with difficult situations. It also
offers them an environment where they can sit and discuss more personal issues and causes for
the addictions and mental illnesses. In many cases inmates dealing with mental illness have a
history of child abuse, alcoholism, rape or molestation that triggered their conditions (Center for
Substance Abuse Treatment).
Overall, many inmates are provided with some form of treatment for the mental illnesses
they are diagnosed with. Once leaving the prison they are no longer provided with medications.
One on one and group therapy sessions offer inmates the ability to truly understand their
conditions and can learn how to deal with sticky situations once reentered into society. Therapy
offers them skills that can continue forward once released without the need for medication. It
stops the addictive behavior in its tracks and allows inmates to take control of themselves and
learn how to confront situations without reacting negatively. Group and one on one therapy helps
inmates become more prepared for what they face once released.

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Works Cited:

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Andrews, Michelle. "Prisons And Jails Forcing Inmates To Cover Some Medical Care Costs."
Kaiser Health News. N.p., 2016. Web. 30 Oct. 2016.
Aufderheide, Dean. "Mental Illness In America's Jails And Prisons: Toward A Public
Safety/Public Health Model." Health Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2016
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal
Justice System. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (US); 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
Frisch, Patricia. "Inmate Counseling & Therapy: Eight Years Inside San Quentin." N.p., n.d.
Web. 30 Oct. 2016.
Pomerantz, Jay M. "Treatment of Mentally Ill in Prisons and Jails: Follow-up Care Needed."
N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2016.
Treatment, Center For Substance Abuse. "9 Treatment Issues Specific to Prisons - Substance
Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System - NCBI Bookshelf." National
Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1970. Web. 30
Oct. 2016.