Psychological symptomatology in a prison population: an exploratory study of age, psychopathological history and time in prison

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Identify psychological symptoms relating to age, psychopathological history and time in prison in women and men incarcerated in a prison. Material and method Cross-sectional study. The sample was made up of 100 inmates, 50 men and 50 women and the symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) was used to assess psychopathological symptoms. Results This study shows that inmates with a psychopathological history prior to entry to prison, younger inmates (18-29 years) and inmates who have been a short time in prison present more psychopathological symptoms. Discussion The results found suggest the implementation of a protocol for psychological care of prisoners in general, but highlights a particular interest in the care of cases with people with a psychopathological history prior to entering prison, in those who are younger and those who have been in prison for a short time.

Keywords

• age factors
• psychopathology
• length of stay
• South America