The impact of long-term incarceration and solitary confinement on the mental health of prison inmates in Nigeria

Abstract

This study seeks to determine the impact of long-term incarceration and solitary confinement on the mental health of prison inmates. Eighty (80) inmates of Calabar Prison (70 males, 10 females) were selected through random sampling. Depression scale of the Symptoms Distress Checklist was used for the study. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted and a 2-way Analysis of Variance was used for data analysis. Findings indicated that long-term imprisonment F (l, 76) = 8.98, P < 0.01) and solitary confinement F(l, 76) = 9.21, p < 0.01) impacted negatively on the mental health of prison inmates. Interaction of duration of imprisonment and type of confinement was not significant. The findings were discussed in line with existing literature and implications were stated, and some recommendations made on prison reform with the aim to make our prisons better.