Relationship Between Prison Environment and Mental Health of Inmates. A Case of Marimanti G.K Prison in Tharaka South Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Abstract

The study explores the complex relationship between the prison environment and the mental health of inmates, highlighting the significant impact of physical and social conditions within prison facilities on psychological well-being. Prisons, by design, impose severe limitations on personal freedom, not only through confinement but also by fostering an atmosphere often detrimental to mental health. Issues like prolonged isolation, lack of privacy, and exposure to violent situations contribute to elevated stress, anxiety, and depression among inmates. With mental health problems on the rise in the general population, incarcerated individuals who face compounded challenges are especially vulnerable in Marimanti G.K Prison in Tharaka South Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, this study aimed to identify specific environmental factors that affect inmates' mental health such as prison’s physical environment, the policies governing inmate behavior and rights, the quality of interactions between inmates and wardens, and the workloads assigned to prisoners. Environmental Determinism theory by Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904) and Coping theory by Lazarus and Folkman (1984) informed the study. The research team targeted a population of 280 individuals and derived a sample size of 80 respondents. To achieve a representative sample, simple random sampling was applied. Data collection tools consisted of structured questionnaires and in-depth interview schedules. To ensure the reliability of these tools, a preliminary pilot study was conducted at Chuka G.K. Prison, chosen for its geographical and demographic similarities to Marimanti G.K. Prison. Consulting experts in the field strengthened content and face validity by reviewing the questionnaires to ensure that each item aligned well with the study's objectives. For data analysis, the study employed multivariate regression to discern the influence of various independent variables on the mental health of inmates. This was aided by SPSS version 27 for Windows. With incomplete or partially filled questionnaires from inmates and dully filled questionnaires by staff, the response rate was 93.75%. Demographic analysis revealed that there existed no significant differences in mental health perception by age and educational level according to inmates. However, among prison staff, while age is not significant, education differences are significant. According to inmates and prison staff, the T-test revealed that there existed no significant differences in the inmate’s mental health perception based on gender and marital status. A regression analysis was carried out, which established that only the physical environment was a statistically significant predictor of mental health among inmates. Based on this analysis, the physical environment emerged as a critical predictor of mental health scores in the case of both inmates and prison wardens. In contrast, prison policies, inmates’ workload and inmate-warden relationship indicated no significant effect on the mental health of inmates. Quantitative and qualitative data were represented using graphs, tables, and themes, respectively. Hence, this study underscored the critical role of the physical environment in influencing the mental health of inmates. Consistent with the existing literature, the findings affirmed that improvement in physical conditions, such as reducing overcrowding, enhancing sanitation, ensuring adequate bedding, and ensuring adequate ventilation, can lead to significant enhancement in mental wellness among prisoners. The study recommends more improvement on the physical environment of inmates, bridging the gap of educational disparities among prison staff, and more research to be carried out on prison policies and inmate workload, hence leading to a holistic approach to improving the mental well-being of inmates.