Psychiatric Morbidity, Trauma, and Post-Release Vulnerability: A Critical Literature Review on the Effects of Incarceration on Women’s Mental Health
Abstract
<p>What are the Effects of Incarceration on Women’s Mental Health?</p> <p>Student’s Name</p> <p>Institutional Affiliation</p> <p>Course Name and Number</p> <p>Instructor’s Name</p> <p>Assignment Due Date</p> <h2>Qualitative Evidence on Mental Health Deterioration During Incarceration</h2> <p>Harner and Riley (2013) investigate how incarceration affects women’s mental health in a maximum-security prison setting. Through survey responses and focus groups, the study reveals that mental health conditions may deteriorate, improve, or remain unchanged during confinement. A major theme emerging from the findings is the need for trauma-informed care, as many women enter prison with pre-existing histories of trauma and mental illness. Without adequate support, incarceration may exacerbate depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The study emphasizes the complexity of mental health responses to incarceration and highlights the institutional responsibility to provide appropriate psychological services.</p> <p>This qualitative research is valuable because it captures firsthand accounts of incarcerated women, offering insight into lived experiences within correctional environments. The findings support the argument that incarceration interacts with prior trauma histories and institutional stressors, reinforcing the necessity of trauma-informed mental health interventions within prisons.</p> <h2>Mental Health Challenges Following Release from Incarceration</h2> <p>Stanton, Kako, and Sawin (2016) provide a systematic review of 36 studies examining women’s mental health after release from jail or prison. Using a biopsychosocial framework, the review identifies psychiatric disorders, psychological trauma, and substance abuse as persistent challenges during community reentry. Barriers to accessing mental health medications and support services complicate reintegration. Additional stressors, including motherhood responsibilities, housing instability, and employment difficulties, intensify psychological strain and may contribute to recidivism.</p> <p>This systematic review strengthens understanding of post-incarceration vulnerability by consolidating multiple empirical findings. The authors emphasize the importance of pre-release planning and coordinated healthcare services to prevent mental health deterioration. Their conclusions underscore that incarceration effects extend beyond confinement and continue to shape women’s mental health trajectories after release.</p> <h2>Predictors of Post-Release PTSD, Depression, and Substance Use</h2> <p>Lynch and Heath (2017) conduct a longitudinal study examining predictors of post-release PTSD, depression, and substance-use disorders among incarcerated women. The findings indicate that exposure to interpersonal violence and maladaptive coping strategies significantly correlate with post-release PTSD. Both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms were associated with depression outcomes. Furthermore, ethnicity, prior substance dependence, recent interpersonal violence, and coping styles were linked to post-release substance-use problems.</p> <p>This longitudinal approach provides valuable insight into how trauma history and coping strategies influence long-term adjustment. The study highlights specific intervention points, particularly the development of adaptive coping skills during incarceration. By identifying predictors of adverse outcomes, the research supports targeted mental health programming that addresses trauma exposure and coping deficits before release.</p> <h2>Gender-Responsive Health Needs Within Correctional Facilities</h2> <p>Augsburger et al. (2022) examine the physical and mental health status of incarcerated women in a Swiss prison using cross-sectional survey interviews and medical chart data. Results show that 61.7% of participants reported physical or mental health issues, and 68.3% perceived their health to have worsened during incarceration. Depression, high stress levels, smoking, alcohol misuse, and illicit drug use were prevalent concerns. Although many women accessed prison medical services, questions remain regarding the adequacy of care in meeting their needs.</p> <p>This study reinforces the importance of gender-responsive healthcare interventions in correctional settings. The findings suggest that incarceration may intensify both mental and physical health vulnerabilities, demonstrating the need for comprehensive and individualized treatment approaches tailored to female prisoners.</p> <h2>Rising Psychiatric Morbidity and Dual Diagnoses Among Incarcerated Women</h2> <p>Svendsen et al. (2023) analyze national registry data from Norwegian prisons between 2010 and 2019 to assess psychiatric morbidity among incarcerated women. The study reveals that 75% of women had a history of psychiatric illness compared to 59% of men. Substance-use disorders and dual diagnoses were more prevalent among women, with 56% experiencing substance-use disorders and 38% experiencing dual disorders. The study also identifies a significant increase in psychiatric diagnoses among women entering prison over the examined decade.</p> <p>The registry-based methodology strengthens reliability and provides evidence of systemic patterns rather than isolated cases. The findings demonstrate a growing mental health crisis within women’s prisons and highlight gender disparities in psychiatric vulnerability. This evidence supports calls for expanded mental health and substance-use services tailored specifically to incarcerated women.</p> <h2>Integrated Analysis of Incarceration’s Mental Health Effects</h2> <p>Collectively, the reviewed studies indicate that incarceration significantly affects women’s mental health both during confinement and after release. Many women enter prison with pre-existing trauma, psychiatric disorders, and substance-use histories. Correctional environments may exacerbate these conditions when services are insufficient or not gender-responsive. Post-release transitions introduce additional stressors that heighten the risk of relapse, depression, and PTSD.</p> <p>The literature consistently emphasizes trauma-informed care, adaptive coping interventions, pre-release planning, and coordinated community support as essential strategies. Gender-specific programming is critical because women’s pathways to incarceration often involve trauma, caregiving responsibilities, and socioeconomic marginalization. Without comprehensive intervention, incarceration may perpetuate cycles of mental illness and reentry instability.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p>The effects of incarceration on women’s mental health are multifaceted and enduring. Evidence from qualitative, longitudinal, cross-sectional, systematic, and registry-based studies demonstrates elevated psychiatric morbidity, trauma-related disorders, substance-use challenges, and structural barriers to care. Addressing these issues requires trauma-informed, biopsychosocial, and gender-responsive approaches within correctional systems and post-release services. Strengthening mental health infrastructure in prisons and improving continuity of care during reentry are essential for promoting rehabilitation and long-term well-being among formerly incarcerated women.</p> <h2>References</h2> <p>Augsburger, A., Neri, C., Bodenmann, P., Gravier, B., Jaquier, V., & Clair, C. (2022). Assessing incarcerated women’s physical and mental health status and needs in a Swiss prison: A cross-sectional study. <em>Health & Justice, 10</em>(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-022-00171-z</p> <p>Harner, H. M., & Riley, S. (2013). The impact of incarceration on women’s mental health: Responses from women in a maximum-security prison. <em>Qualitative Health Research, 23</em>(1), 26–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732312461452</p> <p>Lynch, S., & Heath, N. (2017). Predictors of incarcerated women’s postrelease PTSD, depression, and substance-use problems. <em>Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 56</em>(3), 157–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509674.2017.1290007</p> <p>Stanton, A. E., Kako, P., & Sawin, K. J. (2016). Mental health issues of women after release from jail and prison: A systematic review. <em>Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 37</em>(5), 299–331. https://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2016.1154629</p> <p>Svendsen, V. G., Stavseth, M. R., Skardhamar, T., & Bukten, A. (2023). Psychiatric morbidity among women in Norwegian prisons, 2010–2019: A register-based study. <em>BMC Psychiatry, 23</em>(1), 390. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-023-04886-7</p>