Psychiatric disorder in an Irish female prison

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Abstract
In this study we sought to determine the prevalence and associated features of psychiatric disorder in an Irish women's prison. Using a structured interview (SCAN), 45 out of a total of 80 women prisoners who were admitted over a three‐month period were assessed. This assessment took place following their reception to the women's prison at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin. Diagnoses were assigned by applying DSM‐IV criteria. Previous medical, psychiatric and legal histories were recorded. Twenty‐six (58%; CI: 42.2–72.3) met DSM‐IV criteria for substance dependence, and 21 (81%) of these were re‐offenders. Eleven (24%; CI: 12.9–39.5) of women prisoners met DSM‐IV criteria for other Axis‐I diagnoses, including one prisoner with a psychosis, and eight (18%; CI: 8.0–32.1) had no Axis‐I diagnosis. A statistically significant relationship was found to exist between broad diagnostic category and age, with younger prisoners being more likely to be substance‐dependent and older prisoners more likely to have other Axis‐I diagnoses. Half of those with any Axis‐I diagnosis had received previous psychiatric treatment and none of these had been in long‐term care. These findings underline the high level of psychiatric morbidity among women prisoners. The high percentage of substance‐dependent recidivists raises concerns regarding the current ability of the legal, psychiatric and social systems to deal with these problems adequately. Copyright © 1997 Whurr Publishers Ltd.