Innsatte og psykisk helse

Abstract

This article refers to results obtained from a survey conducted during the spring of 2005. 216 inmates from four Norwegian prisons answered questions relating to the use of drugs, serious depression, anxiety and suicide, as well as problems relating to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The research shows, inter alia, that some time prior to their imprisonment, about 70% of the inmates were seriously depressed and 49% had considered suicide, whereas during imprisonment 47% reported one or more bouts of serious depression and 36% reported having considered suicide. 60% of the inmates acknowledged that the use of drugs had created problems for them with family and friends, and half reported that drugs had been the source of economic problems. Nearly half of the inmates felt that they could become violent when angry, though two-thirds indicated a willingness to take part in an anger management programme if one was offered to them. Finally, it should be noted that 29% of the inmates had great difficulties with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD).