25 Inmates Open Up About What Shocked Them Most About Prison Life

‘Jail’ and ‘prison’ might be used interchangeably colloquially and in popular culture, but they are very different. In the United States, ‘jail’ mainly refers to short-term holding facilities. There, people typically wait for their trials and sentence, or they serve out their sentences that are shorter than a year. Jails are generally under the jurisdiction of cities, local districts, or counties.

Meanwhile, ‘prison’ refers to long-term holding facilities meant for people convicted of more serious crimes. They are under the jurisdiction of states and federal governments.

So, talking about daily life in jail and prison has very different connotations. In the latter case, you’re incarcerated for an incredibly long amount of time. It takes a different, deeper kind of toll on you.

As per Verywell Mind, being incarcerated takes a serious toll on your mental health. For one, you lose your sense of purpose when you’re behind bars.

You can also experience the loss of your identity, which can be very confusing. Suddenly, you’re no longer known for the profession, talents, skills, or knowledge you had on the outside.

Furthermore, you also have to deal with the reality of being separated from your loved ones. While your family and friends can sometimes visit you in prison, you no longer have the option to be involved in their daily lives. If you have children, you’re not a part of their growing up. If you have older relatives, you can’t take care of them directly. It’s isolating.

On top of that, there’s the environmental stress that you now have to shoulder. “Concrete walls, little natural light, and a lack of overall stimulation can take a serious toll on mental health. People in prison have few ways to relieve stress. And their sterile environment is likely to fuel boredom, which can be quite stressful in itself,” Verywell Mind explains. This environment, to be clear, affects prison staff as well, not just the inmates.

Then there’s the frequent exposure to violence when you’re behind bars. You can witness fights during breaks and meal times, and see violence occur between guards and prisoners. This leads to emotional distress and can impact how you adjust to life outside of prison when you’re free.

You can, yourself, become a victim of aggression, too. And if you end up in solitary confinement due to disciplinary or safety issues, it’s even worse for your health. These conditions can exacerbate any mental health problems that you already have. Moreover, you can develop mental health issues as a result of extreme isolation, such as anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, aggression, and depression.

According to one study, mental health problems are “highly prevalent” in prisons. “ Incarcerated persons generally come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are living under extraordinary conditions while in prison. Their healthcare needs are complex compared to the general population.”

Some of the main barriers to seeking mental health help among incarcerated individuals include distrust in the system, challenges with the referral routines, worries about negative consequences, and perceived limited access to mental healthcare. These barriers might be reduced by providing information about mental health and available services, initiating outreaching mental health services, and integrating mental health interventions into treatment programs.

What’s also vital is how prison officers and healthcare personnel respond to prisoners reporting mental distress.

Which of these stories left the biggest impression on you? Have you ever been incarcerated? What were the biggest challenges that you had to overcome during your time behind bars? Have you ever worked at an incarceration facility before? What was it like?

This is a sensitive topic, but if you feel like sharing your experiences, feel free to do so in the comments at the bottom of this post.