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Examining Relationships Between Receiving Mental Health Services in the Pennsylvania Prison System and Time Served

Dr. Metraux is affiliated with the Department of Health Policy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 600 S. 43rd St., Philadelphia PA 19104-4495 (e-mail: s.metraux{at}usip.edu).

OBJECTIVES: This study examined a cohort of 7,046 men who were released from the Pennsylvania State prison system between 1999 and 2002 to Philadelphia County to assess the relationships between receipt of mental health services in prison and prison exit. METHODS: Administrative data on prison stays for 7,046 men released from Pennsylvania prisons to Philadelphia locations were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 7,046 men, 8.7% received ongoing or intensive mental health services and 25.9% received mental health services while incarcerated. Multivariate analyses indicate that use of mental health services was positively associated with increased odds of serving the full prison sentence (as opposed to receiving parole), although the relationship between mental health services received and length of prison episode was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamics related to prison release warrant further attention in efforts to reduce the prevalence of mental illness in prisons and to facilitate community reentry for persons so diagnosed.

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