Psychological symptomatology in a prison population: an exploratory study of age, psychopathological history and time in prison

OBJECTIVES: Identify psychological symptoms relating to age, psychopathological history and time in prison in women and men incarcerated in a prison. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study. The sample was made up of 100 inmates, 50 men and 50 women and the symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) was used to assess psychopathological symptoms. RESULTS: This study shows that inmates with a psychopathological history prior to entry to prison, younger inmates (18-29 years) and inmates who have been a short time in prison present more psychopathological symptoms. DISCUSSION: The results found suggest the implementation of a protocol for psychological care of prisoners in general, but highlights a particular interest in the care of cases with people with a psychopathological history prior to entering prison, in those who are younger and those who have been in prison for a short time.