Prisons are facilities where inmates are confined as punishment for crimes they have committed. The very nature of being isolated from society and restricted in freedom is bound to have psychological effects on prisoners. In this article, we will explore whether prisons create depressing environments and how this impacts prisoners.
What Makes an Environment Depressing?
Several factors can contribute to a depressing environment:
- Lack of natural light – Being confined indoors with limited windows and exposure to sunlight can negatively impact mood.
- Lack of fresh air and nature – Not having access to the outdoors and natural environments can be depressing.
- Lack of privacy and personal space – Shared cells and constantly being around others allows little opportunity for solitude.
- Dull, bland surroundings – Uniform sterile environments without color, comforts, or visual interests can feel gloomy.
- Lack of autonomy and control – Rigid routines and loss of freedom over basic life choices is frustrating.
- Isolation and loneliness – Losing contact with loved ones and support networks feels isolating.
- Lack of meaningful activity – Boredom and understimulation from lack of work, education, or recreation is depressing.
- Stress and uncertainty – The volatile environment and threat of violence is anxiety-inducing.
Unfortunately, many of these factors are inherently part of prisons by design. Inmates are confined to their cells for much of the day, have limited choice or control, and lose access to many activities and comforts. The very nature of being isolated from society can lead to loneliness. These dynamics understandably make prisons depressing for many inmates.
Daily Life in Prison
To further understand why prisons can be depressing places, it is useful to consider the daily routine and experiences of a typical inmate:
- Wake up call around 5-6am.
- Line up for morning inspection and headcount.
- Quick showers with limited hot water in communal bathrooms.
- Breakfast in the cafeteria.
- Morning work duties like laundry, cleaning, or kitchen duty.
- Yard time which may just be a small concrete enclosure.
- Lunch in the cafeteria.
- Afternoon lockdown in cell, often lasting all afternoon.
- Dinner in the cafeteria.
- Evening lockdown in cell around 9pm.
This rigid routine offers little autonomy or choices for inmates. Large portions of the day are spent confined to small cells, often sharing with another cellmate. Natural light, fresh air, and time outdoors is very limited. There are few opportunities for privacy, solitude, meaningful activities, or relaxing leisure. The environment is monotonous and dreary. All these factors can understandably lead to depression and despair.
Mental Health Statistics for Inmates
Looking at mental health statistics for prison populations further illustrates the negative psychological impacts:
- Up to 68% of inmates have a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety disorders.
- About 24% have major depressive disorder, 4-8 times higher than the general population.
- Prisoners are up to 9 times more likely to commit suicide than the general public.
- Up to 84% of inmates report being lonely always or most of the time.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder rates are up to 21% for male inmates.
These shocking statistics indicate prisons create very depressing environments contributing to poor mental health in inmates. The rates of depression, suicide, and loneliness far exceed that of the general public.
Contributing Factors
Why do inmates have such high rates of depression and other mental health issues?
- Isolation from family, friends, and society.
- Loss of autonomy and control over life.
- Lack of privacy, solitude, and personal space.
- Boredom and lack of meaningful activities.
- Regimented routines and confinement to cell.
- Tensions, threats, and violence from other inmates.
- Poor access to mental health services and support.
The very nature of the prison environment restricts social connections, freedom of choice, privacy, and access to care. This directly enables conditions for poor mental health to arise.
Impacts of Depressive Prison Environments
The harsh realities of prison life filled with deprivation, isolation, and boredom understandably lead to depression for many inmates. But what are the impacts of keeping people in such depressive environments?
Psychological Impacts
- Lower self-esteem and sense of purpose.
- Hopelessness and resignation.
- Heightened risk of self-harm or suicide.
- Development of mental illnesses like depression or anxiety disorders.
- Post-traumatic stress from threats and violence.
- Social withdrawal and lack of communication skills.
Inmates being exposed to depressive environments for prolonged periods face diverse psychological risks from low self-worth to deep depression.
Physical Health Impacts
- Weakened immune system leading to more illness.
- Disrupted sleep cycles.
- Loss of appetite or nutritional deficits.
- Lower energy levels and physical activity.
- Neglect of personal hygiene.
- Potential substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
Depression takes immense physical toll that can leave inmates more vulnerable to disease and poor self-care while incarcerated.
Behavioral and Social Impacts
- Aggression, violence, or rebelliousness.
- Withdrawal from social interaction.
- Joining gangs for protection or status.
- Conflicts with correctional staff.
- Lower compliance with prison rules and duties.
- Self-harming behaviors.
- Higher recidivism rates after release.
The depression, despair, and stress of prison environments can push inmates towards disruptive behavior, violence, or isolation while incarcerated and after release.
Ways Prison Environments Could Be Less Depressing
While completely eliminating depression in prisons may not be realistic, certain changes could help reduce depressive factors:
- More access to natural light and fresh air.
- Enhanced mental health services.
- Increased rehabilitation and educational programs.
- More opportunities for recreation and social interaction.
- Work opportunities or training programs.
- Relaxed visitation policies.
- Additional privacy measures.
- Prison jobs or self-governance opportunities.
Even introducing small changes to increase autonomy, social connections, purpose, or environmental quality could make daily life less depressing.
Should We Be Concerned About Depressive Prison Environments?
Some may argue inmates are in prison to be punished, so we should not be concerned if they feel depressed. However, there are good reasons we should care:
- Depression can make inmates less cooperative and more disruptive.
- Mental health issues make inmates harder to manage safely.
- Depression contributes to disease transmission in close quarters.
- Psychological distress increases rates of recidivism.
- We have a duty of care to provide humane habilitation.
- Harsh conditions violate human rights principles.
- Depression impedes rehabilitation efforts.
From increasing institutional disorder to heightening recidivism risks, depressive prison environments ultimately compromise safety and security for both inmates and staff.
Conclusion
In conclusion, evidence clearly indicates prisons often create very depressive environments for inmates. Loss of autonomy and isolation from society appears strongly tied to poor mental health outcomes. Reforming prisons to be more humane and provide meaningful activities and social connections could alleviate depression. However, more research into specific changes that are realistically achievable yet optimize mental health will be beneficial. While inmates may be deprived of physical freedom, subjecting them to depressive environments that scar mental health is unethical and counterproductive. Prisons should aim to rehabilitate, not harm.