ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we provide a brief review of issues facing people who are suffering from mental illness while in prison. We begin with prevalence estimates. How many people in prisons are impacted by mental illness? We explore the reasons for the presence of people suffering from mental illness in the prison, focusing in particular on deinstitutionalization and criminalization. Next, we review the experiences of people with mental illness in prisons, focusing on misconduct, victimization, and suicidal behavior. We discuss the impacts of prison on mental health and conclude with issues in the management of people with mental illness in the prison context.
