Mental Health and Treatment of Inmates and Probationers

• NCJ Number: 174463
• Author(s): Paula M. Ditton
• Date Published: July 1999
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Series: BJS Special Reports
• Agencies: BJS
• Publication Type: Statistics

Annotation

This report presents findings from mental health-related questions in the 1997 Survey of Inmates in State or Federal Correctional Facilities, the 1996 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, and the 1995 Survey of Adults on Probation.

Abstract

Presents survey data on offenders who were in prison or jail or on probation and who reported prior treatment for a mental or emotional problem. About 10% of prison and jail inmates reported a mental or emotional condition; and 10% said they had stayed overnight in a mental hospital or program. Together, 16% or an estimated 283,800 inmates reported either a mental condition or an overnight stay in a mental hospital, and were identified as mentally ill. The report examines the characteristics of mentally impaired offenders, including sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin; provides data on current offense, criminal history, and substance abuse; and describes their mental health treatment since admission to jail or prison. Findings are based on self-reported data from the 1997 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities, the 1996 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, and the 1995 Survey of Adults on Probation.