Behind bars: A trauma-informed examination of mental health through importation and deprivation models in prisons

Abstract

Prisons are designed as institutions to punish criminal behavior, protect society from offenders, and rehabilitate individuals to reduce reoffending. However, research increasingly indicates that incarceration can exacerbate vulnerabilities and worsen mental health. Studies from numerous countries reveal that mental illness rates among prisoners are significantly higher than those in the general population. Evidence suggests that many inmates face considerable hardships prior to incarceration, which may contribute to their mental health challenges. Yet, other findings point to the prison environment itself as a factor that fosters mental health issues. This discussion centers on two key theories: the importation and deprivation models. The Importation Model (Irwin & Cressey, 1962) posits that inmates bring their pre-existing social backgrounds, values, and behaviors into prison, which influence how they interact with the institution. In contrast, the Deprivation Model (Skyes, 1958) emphasizes that prison conditions, such as the loss of autonomy and social connections, shape inmate behavior. Contemporary research (Dye, 2010; Edgemon, 2016; Kuo et al., 2023; Zhao et al., 2020; integrates both models, recognizing that individual characteristics and institutional deprivations interact to influence behavior. This paper explores these models through the lens of trauma, recognizing that trauma frequently precedes imprisonment and is often compounded within prison walls. This systematic review explored the association between childhood maltreatment, prison environment and mental health of prisoners (importation and deprivation model) based on systematic searches of five databases. In total, 31 studies met our inclusion criteria. Results suggested that both childhood maltreatment and prison environment had positive association with various mental health problems in prisoners. The review highlights the need for more research on deprivation model as researchers found only two studies. It further highlighted the importance of addressing childhood maltreatment, prison environment, and mental health issues in prisoners through prevention programs.