The conditions of incarceration and the sociodemographic and health
characteristics of 95 older male inmates of a federal correctional facility
were studied to determine the relationship of such variables to rates of
psychiatric disorder among older male inmates. A total of 51 inmates (53.7
percent) met one-month criteria for psychiatric disorder, a much higher
rate than among a community sample of men in the same geographic area.
Compared with inmates without such disorders, inmates with disorders were
likely to be younger, to have a history of psychiatric disorder and
substance abuse, to have poorer physical health, to have impaired social
support, and to be serving a determinate sentence with no possibility of
parole. Few were receiving treatment while incarcerated.
Abstract Teaser