Date
8-15-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health
Department
Human Services
First Advisor
Jerrod Brown
Abstract
This capstone research paper examines the mental health crisis among incarcerated men in the United States, a population disproportionately affected by mental illness, racial inequality, and systemic neglect. Incarcerated males often enter correctional facilities with pre-existing mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and substance use disorders. Rather than receiving adequate treatment, these individuals are frequently exposed to environments that worsen their conditions. Practices such as solitary confinement, loss of privileges, and isolation from support systems contribute to emotional instability, trauma, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation. This paper explores how detention center culture prioritizes punishment over wellness, stripping individuals of their identity, independence, and access to meaningful mental health care. The stigma surrounding mental illness—especially for men—combined with institutional racism, places Black and Brown males at even greater risk of incarceration and poor mental health outcomes. The closure of psychiatric hospitals and underinvestment in community-based care have shifted the burden of treatment to jails and prisons, which are not equipped for rehabilitation. Additionally, the profit-driven nature of the prison system discourages investment in mental health services and instead fuels cycles of recidivism. Many men are released without adequate support, only to return to prison due to untreated symptoms and lack of resources. This research highlights the urgent need for culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and rehabilitative mental health interventions. A shift in policy and practice is necessary to prioritize healing over punishment and truly support long-term recovery and reintegration.
Keywords: mental illness, psychiatric hospitals, incarceration, recidivism rates