Publication:

Spectrum of depression among the inmates of correctional homes of North Eastern India

Background Imprisonment, like other forms of incarceration, is a significant stressful event in an individual's life. Stress and depression are two major psychological problems among the prison population. The study was planned to determine pattern of depression and associated factors among the inmates of correctional homes.

Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at three correctional homes situated in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India in between 2019 to 2020. Census inmate population fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included maintaining their voluntary participation, anonymity and confidentiality. Assessment of depression was done using patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9).

Results All the inmates had depression; mild depression was noted among 31.8%, minimal and moderate (both 25.8%) and moderately severe depression among 13.9% of the inmates. Certain risk factors were associated statistically significant with depression viz. the proportion of inmates with moderate to severe depression was lower in hilly areas (13.1%); higher among the under-trial inmates (41.3%); higher among the age group ≤20 years (56.5%); higher among the unmarried/separated/divorced inmates (48.8%). However, the proportion of moderate to severe depression was slightly higher among females (46.4%) and inmates having period of imprisonment ≤12 months (38.9%) which were not statistically significant.

Conclusions The study results call for modification of orientations to diagnose depression for clinical evaluation and interventions to help them back in mainstream population.