U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Special Report

September 2006, NCJ 213600

Mental Health Problems of Prison
and Jail Inmates
Doris J. James and
Lauren E. Glaze
BJS Statisticians
At midyear 2005 more than half of all
prison and jail inmates had a mental
health problem, including 705,600
inmates in State prisons, 70,200 in Federal prisons, and 479,900 in local jails.
These estimates represented 56% of
State prisoners, 45% of Federal prisoners, and 64% of jail inmates. The findings in this report were based on data
from personal interviews with State and
Federal prisoners in 2004 and local jail
inmates in 2002.

Highlights
High prevalence of mental health problems among prison
and jail inmates

Selected characteristics
Criminal record
Current or past violent offense
3 or more prior incarcerations
Substance dependence or abuse
Drug use in month before arrest
Family background
Homelessness in year before arrest
Past physical or sexual abuse
Parents abused alcohol or drugs
Charged with violating facility rules*
Physical or verbal assault
Injured in a fight since admission

Percent of inmates in —
State prison
Local jail
With
With
mental
mental
problem
Without
problem
Without
61%
25
74%
63%

56%
19
56%
49%

44%
26
76%
62%

36%
20
53%
42%

13%
27
39
58%
24
20%

6%
10
25
43%
14
10%

17%
24
37
19%
8
9%

9%
8
19
9%
2
3%

Mental health problems were defined by
two measures: a recent history or symptoms of a mental health problem. They
must have occurred in the 12 months
prior to the interview. A recent history of
mental health problems included a clinical diagnosis or treatment by a mental
health professional. Symptoms of a
mental disorder were based on criteria
specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).

• Nearly a quarter of both State prisoners and jail inmates who had a
mental health problem, compared to a
fifth of those without, had served 3 or
more prior incarcerations.

• State prisoners who had a mental
health problem were twice as likely as
those without to have been homeless
in the year before their arrest (13%
compared to 6%).

Percent of inmates in —
State Federal Local
prison prison jail
56% 45%
64%
24
14
21
49
40
60

• Female inmates had higher rates of
mental health problems than male
inmates (State prisons: 73% of
females and 55% of males; local jails:
75% of females and 63% of males).

• Jail inmates who had a mental
health problem (24%) were three
times as likely as jail inmates without
(8%) to report being physically or
sexually abused in the past.

More than two-fifths of State prisoners
(43%) and more than half of jail inmates
(54%) reported symptoms that met the
criteria for mania. About 23% of State
prisoners and 30% of jail inmates
reported symptoms of major depression.
An estimated 15% of State prisoners
and 24% of jail inmates reported symptoms that met the criteria for a psychotic
disorder.

• About 74% of State prisoners and
76% of local jail inmates who had a
mental health problem met criteria for
substance dependence or abuse.

• Over 1 in 3 State prisoners and
1 in 6 jail inmates who had a mental
health problem had received treatment since admission.

• Nearly 63% of State prisoners who
had a mental health problem had
used drugs in the month before their
arrest, compared to 49% of those
without a mental health problem.

• State prisoners who had a mental
health problem were twice as likely as
State prisoners without to have been
injured in a fight since admission
(20% compared to 10%).

Mental health problem
Any mental problem
Recent history
Symptoms

*Includes items not shown.

A quarter of State prisoners had a
history of mental health problems
Among all inmates, State prisoners
were most likely to report a recent history of a mental health problem (table
1). About 24% of State prisoners had a
recent history of a mental health problem, followed by 21% of jail inmates,
and 14% of Federal prisoners.

A recent history of mental health problems was measured by several questions in the BJS’ inmate surveys.
Offenders were asked about whether
in the past 12 months they had been
told by a mental health professional
that they had a mental disorder or
because of a mental health problem
had stayed overnight in a hospital,
used prescribed medication, or
received professional mental health
therapy. These items were classified
as indicating a recent history of a
mental health problem.

State prisoners (18%), Federal prisoners (10%), and jail inmates (14%) most
commonly reported that they had used
prescribed medication for a mental
problem in the year before arrest or
since admission. They were least likely
to report an overnight stay in a hospital
for a mental health problem. Approximately, 5% of inmates in State prisons,
2% in Federal prisons, and 5% in local
jails reported an overnight stay in a
hospital for a mental health problem.

Prevalence of symptoms of mental disorders among prison and jail inmates
The Survey of Inmates in State and
Federal Correctional Facilities, 2004,
and the Survey of Inmates in Local
Jails, 2002, included a modified
structured clinical interview for the
DSM-IV. The surveys collected
information on experiences of
inmates in the past 12 months that
would indicate symptoms of major
depression, mania, or psychotic
disorders. The surveys did not
assess the severity or duration of the
symptoms, and no exclusions were
made for symptoms due to medical
illness, bereavement, or substance
use. Inmates in mental hospitals or
otherwise physically or mentally
unable to complete the surveys were
excluded from the sample.

Symptoms in past 12 months
or since admission
Major depressive or mania symptoms
Persistent sad, numb or empty mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Increased or decreased appetite
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Diminished ability to concentrate or think
Ever attempted suicide
Persistent anger or irritability
Increased/decreased interest in sexual activities
Thoughts of revenge
Psychotic disorder symptoms
Delusions
Hallucinations

Estimates of DSM-IV symptoms of
mental disorder provide a baseline
indication of mental health problems
among inmates rather than a clinical
diagnosis of mental illness. Major
depression or mania symptoms
covered a range of feelings and
behaviors, such as persistent
sadness, loss of interest in activities,
insomnia or hypersomnia,
psychomotor agitation, and
persistent anger or irritability.
Insomnia or hypersomnia and
persistent anger were the most
frequently reported major depression
or mania episodes with nearly half of
jail inmates (49%) reporting these
symptoms. Attempted suicide was
the least reported symptom by State

State
prison

Percent of inmates in —
Federal
Local
prison
jail

32.9%
35.4
32.4
39.8
39.6
35.0
28.4
13.0
37.8
34.4
28.4

23.7%
30.8
25.1
32.8
31.4
25.3
21.3
6.0
30.5
29.0
21.3

39.6%
36.4
42.8
49.2
46.2
43.0
34.1
12.9
49.4
29.5
34.1

11.8%
7.9

7.8%
4.8

17.5%
13.7

Note: Data are based on inmate self-report in the Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities, 2004, and the Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002. See References for
sources on measuring symptoms of mental disorders based on a modified Structured Clinical
Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition
(DSM-IV).

2 Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

prisoners (13%), Federal prisoners
(6%) and local jail inmates (13%).
A psychotic disorder was indicated
by any signs of delusions or
hallucinations during the 12-month
period. Delusions were characterized
by the offenders’ belief that other
people were controlling their brain or
thoughts, could read their mind, or
were spying on them. Hallucinations
included reports of seeing things
others said they did not see or
hearing voices others did not hear.
Approximately, 24% of jail inmates,
15% of State prisoners, and 10% of
Federal prisoners reported at least
one symptom of psychotic disorder
(table 1).

Number of positive
responses
Major depressive
disorder symptoms
0
1-2
3-4
5 or more
Mania disorder
symptoms
0
1
2
3
4
Psychotic disorder
symptoms
0
1
2

Percent of inmates in —
State
Federal Local
prison
prison
jail
29.5%
26.1
20.5
23.9

38.8%
27.9
17.1
16.2

22.8%
23.8
23.0
30.4

27.3%
21.5
20.5
17.7
13.1

35.6%
23.3
17.7
14.0
9.4

22.5%
17.0
20.1
22.0
18.4

84.6%
11.1
4.2

89.8%
7.8
2.4

76.0%
16.8
7.2

Symptoms of mental disorder
highest among jail inmates
Jail inmates had the highest rate of
symptoms of a mental health disorder
(60%), followed by State (49%), and
Federal prisoners (40%). Symptoms of
a mental health disorder were measured by a series of questions adopted
from a structured clinical interview for
diagnosing mental disorders based on
the DSM-IV (see box on page 2 and
References for sources on DSM-IV
measures). The questions addressed
behaviors or symptoms related to
major depression, mania, or psychotic
disorders that occurred in the 12
months before the interview.
To meet the criteria for major depression, inmates had to report a depressed mood and decreased interest or
pleasure in activities, along with 3
additional symptoms of depression.
In order to meet the criteria for mania,
inmates had to report 3 symptoms
during the 12-month period. For a
psychotic disorder, 1 symptom of delusions or hallucinations met the criteria.
The high rate of symptoms of mental
health disorder among jail inmates
may reflect the role of local jails in the
criminal justice system. Jails are locally
operated correctional facilities that
receive offenders after an arrest and
hold them for a short period of time,
pending arraignment, trial, conviction,
or sentencing. Among other functions,
local jails hold mentally ill persons
pending their movement to appropriate
mental health facilities.
While jails hold inmates sentenced to
short terms (usually less than 1 year),
State and Federal prisons hold offenders who typically are convicted and
sentenced to serve more than 1 year.
In general, because of the longer
period of incarceration, prisons provide
a greater opportunity for inmates to
receive a clinical mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment by a
mental health professional.1
1Persons who

have been judged by a court to be
mentally incompetent to stand trial or not guilty
by reason of insanity are not held in these correctional facilities and are not covered by this
report.

Table 1. Recent history and symptoms of mental health
problems among prison and jail inmates

Mental health problem
Any mental health problem
Recent history of mental health problema
Told had disorder by mental health professional
Had overnight hospital stay
Used prescribed medications
Had professional mental health therapy
Symptoms of mental health disordersb
Major depressive disorder
Mania disorder
Psychotic disorder

Percent of inmates in —
State
Federal
Local
prison
prison
jail
56.2%
44.8%
64.2%
24.3%
13.8%
20.6%
9.4
5.4
10.9
5.4
2.1
4.9
18.0
10.3
14.4
15.1
8.3
10.3
49.2%
39.8%
60.5%
23.5
16.0
29.7
43.2
35.1
54.5
15.4
10.2
23.9

Note: Includes inmates who reported an impairment due to a mental problem. Data are
based on the Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities, 2004, and the
Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002. See Methodology for details on survey sample.
See References for sources on measuring symptoms of mental disorder based on
a Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).
aIn year before arrest or since admission.
b
In the 12 months prior to the interview.

Table 2. Prevalence of mental health problems among prison and jail inmates
State prison
inmates
Mental health problem
Number
Percent
Any mental health problem* 705,600
56.2%
History and symptoms
219,700
17.5
History only
85,400
6.8
Symptoms only
396,700
31.6
No mental health problem
549,900
43.8%

Federal prison
inmates
Number
Percent
70,200
44.8%
13,900
8.9
7,500
4.8
48,100
30.7
86,500
55.2%

Local jail
inmates
Number Percent
479,900
64.2%
127,800
17.1
26,200
3.5
322,900
43.2
267,600
35.8%

Note: Number of inmates was estimated based on the June 30, 2005 custody population in State
prisons (1,255,514), Federal prisons (156,643, excluding 19,311 inmates held in private facilities),
and local jails (747,529).
*Details do not add to totals due to rounding. Includes State prisoners, Federal prisoners, and
local jail inmates who reported an impairment due to a mental problem.

High proportion of inmates had
symptoms of a mental health
disorder without a history
Around 4 in 10 local jail inmates and 3
in 10 State and Federal prisoners were
found to have symptoms of a mental
disorder without a recent history (table
2). A smaller proportion of inmates

had both a recent history and symptoms of mental disorder: 17% in State
prisons, 9% in Federal prisons, and
17% in local jails.
An estimated 7% of State prisoners,
5% of Federal prisoners, and 3% of
local jail inmates were found to have
a recent history of a mental health
problem and no symptoms.

About 1 in 10 persons age 18 or older in the U.S. general population
met DSM-IV criteria for symptoms of a mental health disorder
• An estimated 11% of the U.S. population age 18 or older met criteria for
mental health disorders, based on
data in the National Epidemiologic
Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, 2001-2002 (NESARC).

Percent of U.S. population
age 18 or older with symptoms of a mental disorder
Total
Male
Female
Any symptom
10.6%
8.7%
12.4%
Major depressiona 7.9
5.5
10.1
a
Mania disorder
1.8
1.6
2.0
Psychotic disorderb 3.1
3.2
3.1

• Similar to the prison and jail inmate
populations, females in the general
population had higher rates of mental
disorders than males (12% compared
to 9%).

Note: See Methodology for sources on mental
health disorders in the general population.
aIn the last 12 months, not excluding symptoms
due to bereavement, substance use, or a
medical condition.
b
Based on life-time occurrence.
Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism, NESARC, 2001-2002.

Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

3

Table 3. Prison and jail inmates who
had a mental health problem, by
selected characteristics

Characteristic
All inmates
Gender
Male
Female
Race
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
Othera,b
Age
24 or younger
25-34
35-44
45-54
55 or older

Percent of inmates in —
Federal Local
State
prison
jail
prison
56.2% 44.8% 64.2%
55.0%
73.1

43.6%
61.2

62.8%
75.4

62.2%
54.7
46.3
61.9

49.6%
45.9
36.8
50.3

71.2%
63.4
50.7
69.5

62.6%
57.9
55.9
51.3
39.6

57.8%
48.2
40.1
41.6
36.1

70.3%
64.8
62.0
52.5
52.4

a

Excludes persons of Hispanic origin.
Includes American Indians, Alaska Natives,
Asians, Native Hawaiians, other Pacific
Islanders, and inmates who specified more
than one race.

b

Mental health problems more
common among female, white, and
young inmates
Female inmates had much higher rates
of mental health problems than male
inmates. An estimated 73% of females
in State prisons, compared to 55% of
male inmates, had a mental health
problem (table 3). In Federal prisons,
the rate was 61% of females compared
to 44% of males; and in local jails, 75%
of females compared to 63% of male
inmates.
The same percentage of females in
State prisons or local jails (23%) said
that in the past 12 months they had
been diagnosed with a mental disorder
by a mental health professional. This
was almost three times the rate of
male inmates (around 8%) who had
been told they had a mental health
problem.
Percent of inmates in —
State prison
Local jail
Mental problem* Male Female Male Female
Recent history
22% 48%
18% 40%
Diagnosed
8
23
9
23
Overnight stay
5
9
4
9
Medication
16
39
12
30
Therapy
14
32
9
23
Symptoms
48% 62%
59% 70%
*See table 1 for detailed description
of categories.

Table 4. Homelessness, employment before arrest, and family background of
prison and jail inmates, by mental health status

Characteristic
Homelessness in past year
Employed in month before arresta
Ever physically or sexually abused
before admission
Physically abused
Sexually abused
While growing up —
Ever received public assistanceb
Ever lived in foster home, agency or
institution
Lived most of the time with —
Both parents
One parent
Someone else
Parents or guardians ever abused —
Alcohol
Drugs
Both alcohol and drugs
Neither
Family member ever incarcerated —
Mother
Father
Brother
Sister
Child
Spouse

Percent of inmates in —
State prison
Federal prison
Local jail
With
With
With
mental
mental
mental
problem Without problem Without problem Without
13.2%
6.3%
6.6%
2.6%
17.2%
8.8%
70.1% 75.6%
67.7% 76.2%
68.7% 75.9%
27.0%
22.4
12.5

10.5%
8.3
3.8

17.0%
13.7
7.3

6.4%
5.4
1.7

24.2%
20.4
10.2

7.6%
5.7
3.2

42.5%

30.6%

33.3%

24.9%

42.6%

30.3%

9.5

9.8

6.3

47.7%
40.8
10.2
25.1
16.9
1.9
6.2
74.9
41.3%
4.0
13.4
29.4
5.1
2.3
0.9

45.4%
39.8
13.5
33.3
21.7
2.2
9.4
66.7
44.6%
5.0
15.3
29.4
5.5
3.4
2.6

50.5%
38.8
10.3
20.0
15.4
1.4
3.2
80.0
38.9%
3.2
9.9
27.0
4.2
2.8
1.8

18.5
41.9%
43.8
11.6
39.3
23.6
3.1
12.7
60.7
51.7%
7.2
20.1
35.5
7.0
2.7
1.7

14.5
40.5%
45.4
12.0
37.3
23.2
2.7
11.5
62.7
52.1%
9.4
22.1
34.8
11.3
4.0
2.4

6.0
49.1%
40.4
9.4
18.7
14.1
1.1
3.4
81.3
36.2%
3.4
12.6
25.8
5.1
2.6
0.9

a
The
b

reference period for jail inmates was in the month before admission.
Public assistance includes public housing, AFDC, food stamps, Medicaid, WIC,
and other welfare programs.

The prevalence of mental health problems varied by racial or ethnic group.
Among State prisoners, 62% of white
inmates, compared to 55% of blacks
and 46% of Hispanics, were found to
have a mental health problem. Among
jail inmates, whites (71%) were also
more likely than blacks (63%) or Hispanics (51%) to have a mental health
problem.
The rate of mental health problems
also varied by the age of inmates.
Inmates age 24 or younger had the
highest rate of mental health problems
and those age 55 or older had the lowest rate. Among State prisoners, an
estimated 63% of those age 24 or
younger had a mental health problem,
compared to 40% of those age 55 or
older. An estimated 70% of local jail
inmates age 24 or younger had a mental health problem, compared to 52%
of those age 55 or older.

4 Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

Homelessness, foster care more
common among inmates who had
mental health problems
State prisoners (13%) and local jail
inmates (17%) who had a mental
health problem were twice as likely
as inmates without a mental health
problem (6% in State prisons; 9% in
local jails) to have been homeless in
the year before their incarceration
(table 4).
About 18% of State prisoners who had
a mental health problem, compared to
9% of State prisoners who did not have
a mental problem, said that they had
lived in a foster home, agency, or institution while growing up.
Among jail inmates, about 14% of
those who had a mental health problem had lived in a foster home, agency,
or institution while growing up, compared to 6% of jail inmates who did not
have a mental health problem.

Low rates of employment, high
rates of illegal income among
inmates who had mental problems
An estimated 70% of State prisoners
who had a mental health problem,
compared to 76% of those without,
said they were employed in the month
before their arrest. Among Federal
prisoners, 68% of those who had a
mental health problem were employed,
compared to 76% of those who did not
have a mental problem.
Among jail inmates, 69% of those who
had a mental health problem reported
that they were employed, while 76%
of those without were employed in the
month before their arrest.
Of State prisoners who had a mental
health problem, 65% had received
income from wages or salary in the
month before their arrest. This percentage was larger for inmates without a
mental health problem (71%). Over a
quarter (28%) of State prisoners who
had a mental health problem reported
income from illegal sources, compared
to around a fifth (21%) of State prisoners without a mental problem.

Sources of incomea
Wages, salary
Welfare
Assistance from family
or friends
Illegal income
Compensation paymentsb

Percent of State
prison inmates
With
mental
problem
Without
65%
71%
6
4
14
28
9

8
21
6

a

Includes personal income in month before
arrest, except for compensation which was in the
month before admission.
b
Includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
payments and pension.

Table 5. Substance dependence or abuse among prison and jail inmates,
by mental health status

Substance dependence
or abuse
Any alcohol or drugs
Dependence
Abuse only
Alcohol
Dependence
Abuse only
Drugs
Dependence
Abuse only
No dependence or abuse

State prison
With
mental
problem Without
74.1%
55.6%
53.9
34.5
20.2
21.1
50.8%
36.0%
30.4
17.9
20.4
18.0
61.9%
42.6%
43.8
26.1
18.0
16.5
25.9%
44.4%

Note: Substance dependence or abuse was based on criteria specified in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). For details, see Substance
Dependence, Abuse and Treatment of Jail Inmates, 2002, <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
abstract/sdatji02.htm>.

Past physical or sexual abuse more
prevalent among inmates who had
mental health problems
State prisoners who had a mental
health problem (27%) were over two
times more likely than those without
(10%) to report being physically or
sexually abused in the past.
Jail inmates who had a mental health
problem were three times more likely
than jail inmates without to have been
physically or sexually abused in the
past (24% compared to 8%).
Family members of inmates with
mental problems had high rates of
substance use and incarceration
Inmates who had a mental health problem were more likely than inmates
without to have family members who
abused drugs or alcohol or both.
Among State prisoners, 39% of those

High rates of both mental health problems and substance dependence
or abuse among State prison and local jail inmates
• An estimated 42% of inmates in
State prisons and 49% in local jails
were found to have both a mental
health problem and substance
dependence or abuse.
• Slightly less than a quarter (24%) of
State prisoners and a fifth (19%) of
local jail inmates met the criteria for
substance dependence or abuse only.

Percent of inmates in —
Federal prison
Local jail
With
With
mental
mental
problem
Without
problem
Without
63.6%
49.5%
76.4%
53.2%
45.1
27.3
56.3
25.4
18.5
22.2
20.1
27.8
43.7%
30.3%
53.4%
34.6%
25.1
12.7
29.0
11.8
18.6
17.7
24.4
22.8
53.2%
39.2%
63.3%
36.0%
37.1
22.0
46.0
17.6
16.1
17.2
17.3
18.4
36.4%
50.5%
23.6%
46.8%

Mental health
problems and
Percent of inmates in —
substance depenState Federal
Local
dence or abuse
prison prison
jail
Both
41.7% 28.5%
48.7%
Dependence or
abuse only
24.4
27.3
18.9
Mental problems only 14.5
16.3
15.0
None
19.5
27.8
17.3

who had a mental health problem
reported that a parent or guardian had
abused alcohol, drugs, or both while
they were growing up. In comparison,
25% of State prisoners without a mental problem reported parental abuse of
alcohol, drugs, or both.
A third (33%) of Federal prisoners who
had a mental health problem, compared to a fifth (20%) of those without,
reported that a parent or guardian had
abused alcohol, drugs, or both while
they were growing up.
An estimated 37% of jail inmates who
had a mental health problem said a
parent had abused alcohol, drugs,
or both while they were growing up.
This was almost twice the rate for jail
inmates without a mental health problem (19%).
The majority of prison and jail inmates
who had a mental health problem
(52%) reported that they had a family
member who had been incarcerated in
the past. Among those without a mental health problem, about 41% of State
inmates and 36% of jails inmates
reported that a family member had
served time.
Over a third of both State prisoners
and local jail inmates who had a mental health problem (35%) had a brother
who had served time in prison or jail.
The rate for inmates without a mental
health problem was 29% in State prisons and 26% in local jails.

Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

5

Inmates who had mental health
problems had high rates of
substance dependence or abuse
Among inmates who had a mental
health problem, local jail inmates had
the highest rate of dependence or
abuse of alcohol or drugs (76%), followed by State prisoners (74%), and
Federal prisoners (64%) (table 5). Substance dependence or abuse was
measured as defined in the DSM-IV.2
Among inmates without a mental
health problem, 56% in State prisons,
49% in Federal prisons, and 53% in
local jails were dependent on or
abused alcohol or drugs.
2For

a detailed description of the DSM-IV measures, see Substance Dependence, Abuse
and Treatment of Jail inmates, 2002, <http://
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/sdatji02.htm.>

By specific type of substance, inmates
who had a mental health problem had
higher rates of dependence or abuse
of drugs than alcohol. Among State
prisoners who had a mental problem,
62% were dependent on or abused
drugs and 51% alcohol. An estimated
63% of local jail inmates who had a
mental problem were dependent on or
abused drugs, while about 53% were
dependent on or abused alcohol.
When dependence was estimated
separately from abuse only, local jail
inmates who had a mental health
problem had the highest rate of drug
dependence (46%). They were two
and a half times more likely to be
dependent on drugs than jail inmates
without a mental problem (18%).

Table 6. Substance use among prison inmates and convicted jail inmates,
by mental health status

Type of substance
Alcohol or drugs
Regular usea
In month before offense
At time of offense
Drugs
Regular usea
In month before offense
At time of offense
Alcohol
Regular usea
In month before offense
At time of offense
Binge drinkingb

Percent of inmates in —
State prison
Federal prison
Local jail
With
With
With
mental
mental
mental
Without problem Without
problem
Without problem
87.1%
80.3
53.2

77.2%
70.4
42.5

82.3%
75.8
41.1

75.4%
68.1
30.6

89.9%
81.6
53.8

78.7%
69.6
42.8

75.5%
62.8
37.5

61.2%
49.1
25.8

71.0%
57.1
31.1

59.2%
45.2
23.0

78.1%
62.1
34.0

57.5%
41.7
19.8

67.9%
61.7
34.0
43.5

58.3%
52.5
27.5
29.5

66.0%
59.5
21.7
37.8

58.2%
53.6
15.1
25.7

72.6%
80.7
35.0
48.2

61.8%
74.1
30.4
29.9

aRegular

alcohol use is defined as daily or almost daily or more than once a week for more
than a month. Regular drug use is defined as once a week or more for at least one month.
drinking is defined as having consumed a fifth of liquor in a single day,
or the equivalent of 20 drinks, 3 bottles of wine, or 3 six-packs of beer.
bBinge

Table 7. Drug use in the month before the offense among
convicted prison and jail inmates, by mental health status
State prison
With
Types of drug used
mental
in month before offense problem Without
Any drug
62.8%
49.1%
Marijuana or hashish
45.7%
33.3%
Cocaine or crack
24.4
17.9
Heroin/opiates
8.9
7.2
Depressantsa
7.3
3.0
Methamphetamines
12.6
8.8
Other stimulantsb
5.8
2.8
c
Hallucinogens
8.0
3.4

Percent of inmates in —
Federal prison
Local jail
With
With
mental
mental
problem
Without problem Without
57.1%
45.2%
62.1%
41.7%
41.2%
32.0%
43.4%
27.1%
21.1
15.5
24.2
14.7
7.2
4.7
9.6
4.6
6.7
2.7
8.5
2.0
10.9
9.6
11.7
6.2
4.5
2.5
5.2
2.4
9.3
3.0
7.5
2.9

a
Include
b
Include
c

barbiturates, tranquilizers, and quaaludes.
amphetamines.
Include LSD, PCP, and ecstasy.

6 Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

A larger percentage of State prisoners
who had a mental health problem than
those without were found to be dependent on drugs (44% compared to
26%). Among Federal prisoners, 37%
who had a mental health problem were
found to be dependent on drugs, compared to 22% of those without.
State prisoners (30%) and local jail
inmates (29%) who had a mental
health problem had about the same
rate of alcohol dependence. A quarter
of Federal prisoners (25%) who had a
mental problem were dependent on
alcohol.
Over a third of inmates who had
mental health problems had used
drugs at the time of the offense
Over a third (37%) of State prisoners
who had a mental health problem said
they had used drugs at the time of the
offense, compared to over a quarter
(26%) of State prisoners without a
mental problem (table 6). Also, over a
third (34%) of local jail inmates who
had a mental health problem said they
had used drugs at the time of the
offense, compared to a fifth (20%) of
jail inmates who did not have a mental
problem.
Marijuana or hashish was the most
common drug inmates said they had
used in the month before the offense
(table 7). Among inmates who had a
mental health problem, more than twofifths of those in State prisons (46%),
Federal prisons (41%), or local jails
(43%) reported they had used marijuana or hashish in the month before
the offense.
Almost a quarter of inmates in State
prisons or local jails who had a mental
health problem (24%) reported they
had used cocaine or crack in the
month before the offense. A smaller
percentage of inmates who had a mental health problem had used methamphetamines in the month before the
offense — 13% of State prisoners, 11%
of Federal prisoners, and 12% of jail
inmates.
Binge drinking prevalent among
inmates who had mental problems
Inmates who had a mental health problem were more likely than inmates
without a mental problem to report a

binge drinking experience. Among
State prisoners who had a mental
health problem, 43% said they had
participated in binge drinking in the
past, compared to 29% of State prisoners without mental problems.
Similarly, jail inmates who had mental
problems (48%) had a much higher
rate of binge drinking than jail inmates
without mental problems (30%).
Inmates who had a mental problem
were more likely than inmates without
to have been using alcohol at the time
of the offense (State prisoners, 34%
compared to 27%; Federal prisoners,
22% compared to 15%; and jail
inmates, 35% compared to 30%.)

Violent offenses common among
State prisoners who had a mental
health problem
Among State prisoners who had a
mental health problem, nearly half
(49%) had a violent offense as their
most serious offense, followed by
property (20%) and drug offenses
(19%) (table 8). Among all types of
offenses, robbery was the most common offense (14%), followed by drug
trafficking (13%) and homicide (12%).
An estimated 46% of State prisoners
without a mental health problem were
held for a violent offense, including
13% for homicide and 11% for robbery.

Table 8. Most serious offense among prison and jail inmates,
by mental health status

Most serious offense
Total
Violent offenses
Homicide
Sexual assault*
Robbery
Assault
Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/theft
Fraud
Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking
Public-order offenses
Weapons
DWI/DUI

State prison
With
mental
problem
Without
100%
100%
49.0%
46.5%
11.6
12.9
11.0
10.4
13.6
11.3
10.5
9.7
19.6%
17.7%
8.6
7.7
4.2
3.5
3.0
2.7
19.3%
23.8%
5.7
6.3
12.9
17.0
11.9%
11.9%
2.6
2.4
2.2
3.2

Percent of inmates in —
Federal prison
Local jail
With
With
mental
mental
problem
Without problem
Without
100%
100%
100%
100%
16.0%
13.2%
26.5% 23.7%
2.5
2.3
2.6
2.5
1.1
0.7
3.4
3.6
9.6
7.6
5.7
5.1
2.0
1.9
12.5
10.5
7.2%
6.1%
26.9% 19.7%
0.7
0.3
7.9
4.2
0.5
0.4
7.7
5.6
4.9
4.5
5.3
4.2
51.3%
58.3%
23.4% 27.0%
2.0
3.8
10.1
12.3
47.7
52.6
11.6
12.9
22.3%
19.0%
22.6% 29.3%
14.0
8.5
2.3
1.4
0.2
0.2
5.5
8.1

Note: Summary categories include offenses not shown.
*Includes rape and other sexual assault.

Table 9. Use of weapon, by mental health status of convicted violent
State prison and local jail inmates

Use of weapons
Any weapon
Firearm
Knife or sharp object
Other weapons*
No weapon
Number of violent inmates

Percent of inmates in —
State prison
Local jail
With
With
mental
mental
problem
Without
problem
Without
37.2%
36.9%
20.6%
21.2%
24.4
27.5
12.3
13.1
10.2
7.4
6.1
5.1
3.7
2.7
2.8
4.0
62.8%
63.1%
79.4%
78.8%
328,670
242,524
60,787
34,305

Note: Details do not add to total because inmates may have used more
than one weapon.
*Other weapons include blunt objects, stun guns, toy guns, or other specified
weapons.

About 24% of State prisoners without a
mental problem were held for drug
offenses, particularly drug trafficking
(17%).
Almost an equal percentage of jail
inmates who had a mental health problem were held for violent (26%) and
property (27%) offenses. About 12%
were held for aggravated assault. Jail
inmates who had a mental health problem were two times more likely than jail
inmates without a mental problem to
be held for burglary (8% compared to
4%).
Use of a weapon did not vary by
mental health status
Convicted violent offenders who had a
mental health problem were as likely
as those without to have used a
weapon during the offense (table 9).
An estimated 37% of both State prisoners who had a mental problem and
those without said they had used a
weapon during the offense.
By specific type of weapon, among
convicted violent offenders in State
prisons who had a mental health problem, slightly less than a quarter (24%)
had used a firearm, while a tenth
(10%) had used a knife or sharp
object.
Violent criminal record more
prevalent among inmates who had
a mental health problem
State prisoners who had a mental
health problem (61%) were more likely
than State prisoners without (56%) to
have a current or past violent offense.
Percent of State
prison inmates with
violent criminal record
With
mental
problem
Without
61%
56%

Violent criminal record
Any violent offense
Current violent offense,
no prior
13
Violent recidivist
47
Note: Details may not add to total due
to rounding.

17
39

Among repeat offenders, an estimated
47% of State prisoners who had a
mental health problem were violent
recidivists, compared to 39% of State
prisoners without a mental problem
(table 10).

Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

7

Nearly a third (32%) of local jail
inmates who had a mental health problem were repeat violent offenders,
while about a quarter (22%) of jail
inmates without a mental problem
were violent recidivists.
A larger proportion of inmates who had
a mental health problem had served
more prior sentences than inmates
without a mental problem (table 11). An
estimated 47% of State prisoners who
had a mental health problem, compared to 39% of those without, had
served 3 or more prior sentences to
probation or incarceration. Among jail
inmates, 42% of those with a mental
health problem had served served 3 or
more prior sentences to probation or
incarceration, compared to 33% of jail
inmates without a mental problem.
State prisoners who had mental
health problems had longer
sentences than prisoners without
Overall, State prisoners who had a
mental health problem reported a
mean maximum sentence that was 5
months longer than State prisoners
without a mental problem (146 months
compared to 141 months) (table 12).
Among jail inmates, the mean sentence for those who had a mental problem was 5 months shorter than that for
jail inmates without a mental problem
(40 months compared to 45 months).
By most serious offense, excluding
offenders sentenced to life or death,
both violent State prisoners who had a
mental health problem and those without had about the same mean sentence length. Violent State prisoners
who had a mental health problem were
sentenced to serve a mean maximum
sentence length of 212 months and
those without, 211 months.
Among prisoners sentenced to life or
death, there was little variation in sentence length by mental health status
(not shown in table). About 8% of State
prisoners who had a mental health
problem and 9% of those without were
sentenced to life or death. Among Federal prisoners, 3% of both those who
had a mental health problem and those
without were sentenced to life or
death.

Table 10. Criminal record of prison and jail inmates, by mental health status
State prison

Criminal record
No prior sentence
Current violent offense
Current drug offense
Current other offense
Violent recidivist
Current and prior violent
Current violent only
Prior violent only
Nonviolent recidivist
Prior drugs only
Other prior offenses

With
mental
problem
20.5%
13.4
3.1
4.1
47.4%
17.2
17.7
12.5
32.0%
3.0
29.0

Without
27.0%
16.9
5.1
5.0
39.2%
13.4
15.3
10.4
33.8%
4.0
29.8

Percent of inmates in —
Federal prison
Local jail
With
With
mental
mental
problem
Without problem
Without
32.2%
36.9%
34.9%
43.3%
5.1
4.9
12.1
13.8
15.2
21.6
8.8
12.6
11.9
10.4
14.0
16.8
27.5%
23.8%
31.9%
22.4%
7.4
4.4
9.9
6.8
4.9
4.4
11.4
6.9
15.3
15.0
10.5
8.7
40.3%
39.2%
33.2%
34.3%
7.1
9.5
3.0
3.4
33.2
29.8
30.2
30.9

Note: Excludes inmates for whom offense and prior probation or incarceration sentences were
unknown.

Table 11. Number of prior probation or incarceration sentences among prison
and jail inmates, by mental health status
Percent of inmates in —
Federal prison
Local jail
With
With
mental
mental
Without
problem
Without
problem
Without
28.5%
34.1%
38.3%
24.5%
30.6%
16.1
14.9
16.5
16.8
18.9
16.8
15.6
14.9
16.7
17.2
24.0
21.3
20.1
22.8
20.3
10.6
10.0
7.1
12.4
8.6
4.0
4.0
3.1
6.7
4.4

State prison
Number of prior
sentences
0
1
2
3-5
6-10
11 or more

With
mental
problem
22.1%
15.3
15.5
26.3
13.9
6.9

Note: Excludes inmates for whom prior probation or incarceration sentences were
unknown.

Table 12. Mean maximum sentence length and mean total time expected
to serve, by mental health status and offense

Most serious offense
State prison inmates
All offensesc
Violent
Property
Drug
Public-order
Federal prison inmates
All offensesc
Violent
Property
Drug
Public-order
Local jail inmates
All offensesc
Violent
Property
Drug
Public-order
a

Mean maximum
sentence lengtha
With mental
problem
Without

Mean total time expected
to serve until releaseb
With mental
problem
Without

146 mos
212
103
84
81

141 mos
211
96
94
66

93 mos
139
60
48
51

89 mos
138
58
50
40

128 mos
174
70
131
102

135 mos
202
53
139
100

99 mos
119
63
103
87

106 mos
131
58
112
83

40 mos
67
41
40
16

45 mos
73
36
59
16

14 mos
18
16
18
7

18 mos
31
14
25
8

Based on the total maximum sentence for all consecutive sentences. Excludes inmates for
whom offense was unknown.
b
Based on time served when interviewed and time to be served until the expected date of
release. Excludes inmates for whom admission date or expected release date were
unknown.
c
Includes other offenses not shown.

8 Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

State prisoners who had a mental
health problem expected to serve 4
months longer than those without
Overall, the mean time State prisoners
who had a mental health problem
expected to serve was 4 months
longer than State prisoners without a
mental problem (93 months compared
to 89 months). Among convicted jail
inmates who expected to serve their
time in a local jail, there was little variation by mental health status in the
Table 13. Mean time expected to be
served by convicted local jail inmates
sentenced to jail

Mean time expected
to be served
Less than 3 months
3 to 6 months
7 to 12 months
13 to 24 months
25 to 36 months
37 to 60 months
More than 5 years
Number of inmates

amount of time expected to be served.
About 55% of those who had a mental
problem, and 54% of those without,
expected to serve 6 months or less
(table 13).
A third of State prisoners who had
mental health problems had
received treatment since admission
State prisoners who had a mental
health problem (34%) had the highest
rate of mental health treatment since
admission, followed by Federal prisoners (24%) and local jail inmates (17%)
(table 14).
All Federal prisons and most State
prisons and jail jurisdictions, as a matter of policy, provide mental health services to inmates, including screening
inmates at intake for mental health
problems, providing therapy or counseling by trained mental health professionals, and distributing psychotropic
medication.3

Percent of convicted
local jail inmates
With
mental
problem
Without
27.4%
26.8%
27.9
27.3
24.0
22.4
9.7
8.7
3.7
3.4
3.2
5.0
4.0
6.4
115,290
72,356

3

See Mental Health Treatment in State Prisons,
2000, <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/
mhtsp00.htm> and Census of Jails, 1999, <http:/
/www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cj99.htm>.

Note: Excludes inmates for whom admission
date or expected release date were unknown.

Table 14. Mental health treatment received by inmates who had a mental
health problem
Type of mental health treatment
Ever received mental health treatment
Had overnight hospital stay
Used prescribed medications
Had professional mental health therapy
Received treatment during year before arrest
Had overnight hospital stay
Used prescribed medications
On prescribed medication at time of arrest
Had professional mental health therapy
Received treatment after admission
Had overnight hospital stay
Used prescribed medications
Had professional mental health therapy

Percent of inmates who had a mental problem in —
State prison
Federal prison
Local jails
49.3%
35.3%
42.7%
20.0
9.5
18.0
39.5
28.0
32.7
35.4
25.6
31.1
22.3%
14.9%
22.6%
5.8
3.2
6.6
15.8
10.1
16.9
11.3
7.3
12.3
11.5
8.0
12.3
33.8%
24.0%
17.5%
5.4
2.7
2.2
26.8
19.5
14.8
22.6
15.1
7.3

Note: Excludes other mental health treatment.

Table 15. Mental health treatment received by all State prison inmates,
2004 and 1997
Percent of State prison inmates
Type of mental health treatment
Ever any mental health treatment
Had overnight hospital stay
Used prescribed medications
Had professional mental health therapy
Had other mental health treatment
Received treatment after admission
Had overnight hospital stay
Used prescribed medications
Had professional mental health therapy
Had other mental health treatment
Number of inmates

2004
31.2%
12.2
23.9
21.6
3.6
19.3%
3.1
15.1
12.7
1.9
1,226,171

1997
28.3%
10.7
18.9
21.8
3.3
17.4%
3.8
12.3
12.3
1.9
1,059,607

More than a fifth of inmates (22%) in
State prison who had a mental health
problem had received mental health
treatment during the year before their
arrest, including 16% who had used
prescribed medications, 11% who had
professional therapy, and 6% who had
stayed overnight in a hospital because
of a mental or emotional problem.
Among jail inmates who had a mental
health problem, an estimated 23% had
received treatment during the year
before their arrest: 17% had used
medication, 12% had received professional therapy, and 7% had stayed
overnight in a hospital because of a
mental or emotional problem.
Taking a prescribed medication for a
mental health problem was the most
common type of treatment inmates
who had a mental health problem had
received since admission to prison or
jail. About 27% of State prisoners, 19%
of Federal prisoners, and 15% of jail
inmates who had a mental problem
had used prescribed medication for a
mental problem since admission.
An overnight stay in a hospital was the
least likely method of treatment
inmates had received since admission.
Among inmates who had a mental
problem, about 5% of those in State
prisons, 3% in Federal prisons, and
2% in local jails had stayed overnight
in a hospital for a mental problem.
Use of medication for a mental
health problem by State prisoners
rose between 1997 and 2004
The proportion of State prisoners who
had used prescribed medication for a
mental health problem since admission
to prison rose to 15% in 2004, up from
12% in 1997 (table 15). There was little
change in the percentage of inmates
who reported an overnight stay in a
hospital since admission (around 3%),
or in the percentage who had received
professional mental health therapy
(around 12%).
State prisoners who said they had ever
used prescribed medication for a mental or emotional problem in the past
rose to 24% in 2004, up from 19% in
1997. Overall, 31% of State prisoners
said they had ever received mental
health treatment in the past, up from
28% in 1997.

Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

9

Among jail inmates, in 2002 around
30% said they had received treatment
for a mental health problem in the past,
up from 25% in 1996. The proportion
who had received treatment since
admission (11%) was unchanged.
Mental health
treatment
Ever any treatment
Overnight stay
Medication
Therapy
Other treatment
Since admission
Overnight stay
Medication
Therapy
Other treatment

Percent of jail inmates
2002
1996
30%
25%
12
10
22
17
22
18
3
3
11%
11%
1
1
9
9
5
4
1
--

--Less than 0.5%.

Rule violations and injuries from a
fight more common among inmates
who had a mental health problem
Prison or jail inmates who had a mental health problem were more likely
than those without to have been
charged with breaking facility rules
since admission (table 16). Among
State prisoners, 58% of those who had
a mental health problem, compared to
43% of those without, had been
charged with rule violations.
An estimated 24% of State prisoners
who had a mental health problem,
compared to 14% of those without, had
been charged with a physical or verbal
assault on correctional staff or another
inmate. Among Federal prisoners who
had a mental health problem, 15% had
been charged with a physical or verbal
assault on correctional staff or another
inmate compared to 7% of those without a mental problem.
Jail inmates who had a mental health
problem were twice as likely as those
without to have been charged with

Three-quarters of female inmates in State prisons who had a mental
health problem met criteria for substance dependence or abuse
Female State prisoners who had a
mental health problem were more
likely than those without to —
• meet criteria for substance dependence or abuse (74% compared to
54%),
• have a current or past violent
offense (40% compared to 32%),
• have used cocaine or crack in the
month before arrest (34% compared
to 24%),
• have been homeless in the year
before arrest (17% compared to 9%).

They were also more likely to
report —
• 3 or more prior sentences to probation or incarceration (36% compared
to 29%),
• past physical or sexual abuse (68%
compared to 44%),
• parental abuse of alcohol or drugs
(47% compared to 29%),
• a physical or verbal assault charge
since admission (17% compared to
6%).

Characteristics of females in State prison, by mental health status

Selected characteristics
Criminal record
Current or past violent offense
3 or more prior probations or incarcerations
Substance dependence or abuse
Alcohol
Drugs
Drug use in month before arrest*
Cocaine or crack
Methamphetamines
Family background
Homeless in year before arrest
Past physical or sexual abuse
Parent abused alcohol or drugs
Charged with violating facility rules*
Physical or verbal assault
Injured in a fight since admission

Percent of female inmates
With mental
problem
Without
40.4%
35.9
74.5%
41.7
65.5
63.7%
33.9
17.1

32.2%
28.7
53.6%
25.8
45.6
49.5%
24.2
16.3

16.6%
68.4
46.9
50.4%
16.9
10.3%

9.5%
44.0
29.1
30.6%
5.7
3.8%

*Includes items not shown.

facility rule violations (19% compared
to 9%).
Inmates in local jails who had a mental
health problem were also four times as
likely as those without to have been
charged with a physical or verbal
assault on correctional staff or another
inmate (8% compared to 2%).

A larger percentage of inmates who
had a mental health problem had been
injured in a fight since admission than
those without a mental problem (State
prisoners, 20% compared to 10%;
Federal prisoners, 11% compared to
6%; jail inmates, 9% compared to 3%).

Table 16. Disciplinary problems among prison and jail inmates since admission, by mental health status

Type of disciplinary problem
since admission
Charged with rule violations*
Assault
Physical assault
Verbal assault
Injured in a fight

State prison
With mental
problem
Without
57.7%
43.2%
24.1
13.8
17.6
10.4
15.2
6.7
20.4%
10.1%

Percent of inmates in —
Federal prison
With mental
problem
Without
40.0%
27.7%
15.4
6.9
11.0
5.4
7.9
2.4
11.4%
5.8%

Local jail
With mental
problem
Without
19.0%
9.1%
8.2
2.4
4.7
1.6
5.2
0.9
9.3%
2.9%

*
Includes violations not shown (for example: possession of a weapon, stolen property or contraband, drug law violations,
work slowdowns, food strikes, setting fires or rioting, being out of place, disobeying orders, abusive language, horseplay,
or failing to follow sanitary regulations).

10 Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

Methodology
The findings in this report are based on
data in the Survey of Inmates in State
and Federal Correctional Facilities,
2004, and the Survey of Inmates in
Local Jails, 2002. Conducted every 5
to 6 years since 1972, the BJS’ inmate
surveys are the only national source of
detailed information on criminal offenders, particularly special populations
such as drug and alcohol users and
offenders who have mental health
problems.
The survey design included a stratified
two-stage sample where facilities were
selected in the first stage and inmates
to be interviewed in the second stage.
In the second sampling stage, interviewers from the Census Bureau visited each selected facility and
systematically selected a sample of
inmates. Computer-assisted personal
interviewing (CAPI) was used to conduct the interviews.
Survey of Inmates in State and Federal
Correctional Facilities, 2004
The State prison sample was selected
from a universe of 1,585 facilities. A
total of 287 State prisons participated
in the survey; 2 refused, 11 were
closed or had no inmates to survey,
and 1 was erroneously included in the
universe. A total of 14,499 inmates in
the State facilities were interviewed;
1,653 inmates refused to participate,
resulting in a second-stage nonresponse rate of 10.2%.
The Federal prison sample was
selected from 148 Federal prisons and
satellite facilities. Thirty-nine of the 40
prisons selected participated in the
survey. After the initial sample of
inmates was drawn, a secondary sam-

ple of 1 in 3 drug offenders was
selected. A total of 3,686 inmates in
Federal facilities were interviewed and
567 refused to participate, resulting in
a second-stage nonresponse rate of
13.3%.
Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002
The local jail sample was selected
from a universe of 3,365. Overall, 465
jails were selected, and interviews
were held in 417 jails; 39 jails refused
or were excluded for administrative
reasons; and 9 were closed or had
no inmates. A total of 6,982 inmates
were interviewed; 768 inmates refused
to participate, resulting in a secondstage nonresponse rate of 9.9%.
Accuracy of survey estimates
The accuracy of the survey estimates
depends on sampling and measurement errors. Sampling errors occur by
chance because a sample of inmates
rather than all inmates were interviewed. Measurement error can be
attributed to many sources, such as
nonresponse, recall difficulties, differences in the interpretation of questions
among inmates, and processing
errors.
The sampling error, as measured by
an estimated standard error, varies by
the size of the estimate and the size of
the base population. These standard
errors may be used to construct confidence intervals around percentages.
For example, the 95% confidence
interval around the percentage of jail
inmates in 2002 who had a mental
health problem is approximately 64.2%
plus or minus 1.96 times .83% (or
62.6% to 65.8%). Standard error tables
for data in this report are provided in

References

American Psychological Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), 1994.
Michael B. First, Robert, L. Spitzer, Miriam Gibbon, and Janet B.W. Williams,
User’s Guide for the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders,
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. Arlington, Va., March 2002.

the Appendix which is available in the
electronic version of the report at
<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/
mhppji.htm>.
A detailed description of the methodology for the State and Federal Prison
survey, including standard error tables
and links to other reports or findings, is
available on the BJS Website <http://
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/
sicf04.htm>. A detailed description of
the methodology for the Survey of
Inmates in Local Jails is available at
<http://webapp.icpsr.umich.edu/
cocoon/NACJD-STUDY/04359.xml>.
Measures of mental health problems in
the general population
Caution should be used when making
comparisons between prison and jail
inmates and the general population
based on the a 12-month DSM-IV
structured interview. There are significant variations in the questionnaire
design and data analysis. For example, questions on the severity or duration of symptoms and questions about
whether symptoms are due to breavement, substance use, or a medical
condition may vary from survey to survey.
For details on the methodology used in
the National Epidemiologic Survey on
Alcohol and Related Conditions, sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, see the
Data Reference Manual, <http://
niaa.census.gov/>. For additional information on the prevalence of mental
disorders in the general population,
see the National Survey on Drug Use
and Health, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, <http://
www.oas.samhsa.gpv/nsduh.htm>.
Also, see the National Comorbidity
Survey Replication Study, sponsored
primarily by the National Institute of
Mental Health, <http://
www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/
ncs-r.cfm>.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Epidemiologic
Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, 2002, National Institutes of Health,
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Survey on Drug Use
and Health, 2002, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, Rockville, Maryland.
Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates 11

*NCJ~213600*

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics

PRESORTED STANDARD
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
DOJ/BJS
Permit No. G-91

Washington, DC 20531

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the
statistical agency of the U.S.
Department of Justice. Jeffrey L.
Sedgwick is director.
Doris J. James and Lauren E. Glaze
wrote this report, under the
supervision of Allen J. Beck. Laura M.
Maruschak, Todd D. Minton, and
Tracy L. Snell verified the report.
Rebecca L. Medway provided
programming assistance. Tina Dorsey
edited the report and Jayne Robinson
prepared it for final printing, under the
supervision of Marianne Zawitz.
Tracy L. Snell, under the supervision
of Allen J. Beck, was project manager
for the Survey of Inmates in State and
Federal Correctional Facilities.

For the State and Federal prisoners
survey, at the U.S. Census Bureau
Steven M. Bittner, Colette Heiston,
and Kenneth Mayo carried out
questionnaire design, data collection
and processing, under the supervision
of Marilyn M. Monahan, Demographic
Surveys Division. Renee Arion
programmed the questionnaire and
Dave Keating programmed the listing
instrument, under the supervision of
Rob Wallace, Technologies
Management Office. Programming
assistance in the Demographic
Surveys Division was provided by
Chris Alaura, Mildred Ballenger,
Bach-Loan Nguyen, and Scott
Raudabaugh, under the supervision
of David Watt.

This report in portable document format and in ASCII and
its related statistical data and tables— including appendix
tables— are available at the BJS World Wide Web Internet
site: <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/mhppji.htm>

12 Mental Health Problems of Prison and Jail Inmates

Dave Hornick and Danielle N.
Castelo, Demographic Surveys
Methods Division, under the
supervision of Thomas F. Moore,
designed the sample and weighting
specifications. Sydnee ChattinReynolds and Luis Padilla, Field
Division, under the supervision of
Richard Ning, coordinated the field
operations. The affiliations for the
Census Bureau date to the time of the
survey.
Contributors to the Survey of Inmates
in Local Jails are listed in Profile of
Jail Inmates, 2002, at <http://www.ojp.
usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/pji02.htm>.
September 2006, NCJ 213600

Office of Justice Programs
Partnerships for Safer Communities
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov