
Being in prison is designed to be a tough experience. Prisoners’ mental health can be affected by the environment, rules and laws, and a lack of personal autonomy. Elder prisoners, those with physical or learning problems, and other vulnerable populations are more vulnerable to poor mental health. Over two million people are currently incarcerated in the United States, and research reveals that a significant fraction of them suffer from mental illness. Convicts’ mental health problems are frequently severe, as seen by the significant percentage of inmates on psychiatric medication. In…