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Subjective experience of early imprisonment
Hannah Kate Williams1, Pamela J Taylor, Julian Walker
1School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK.
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry
|May 16, 2013
Summary
Prison experiences vary widely among men awaiting trial. Positive in-prison relationships significantly improve emotional well-being and may reduce negative mental health impacts during detention.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Prison's effectiveness is debated, with studies showing mixed impacts on mental state and high recidivism rates.
- Understanding the lived experiences of men at high risk for repeated imprisonment is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the prison experience of men awaiting trial in custody.
- To investigate the emotional impact and contributing factors during pre-trial detention.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal study involving 170 men awaiting trial.
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of interviews conducted upon reception and three weeks later.
- 75% of participants had prior incarceration experience.
Main Results:
- Prison experience encompasses a wide emotional range, from negative to positive, influenced by relationships, routine, and external connections.
- Negative experiences correlated with in-prison depression, while positive experiences were linked to strong in-prison relationships.
- No association found between prison impact and pre-prison factors.
Conclusions:
- Pre-trial detention experiences are more diverse than commonly reported.
- Fostering positive staff-prisoner and prisoner-prisoner relationships can be vital for well-being.
- Highly positive prison experiences may highlight deficiencies in community support services.
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