Self-Esteem, Depression, and Anxiety Evidenced by a Prison Inmate Sample: Interrelationships and Consequences for Prison Programming

Abstract

Relatively little is known about the psychological characteristics of prison inmates and how recent imprisonment policies may affect those characteristics. This article examines levels of self-esteem, depression, and anxiety among a sample of prison inmates who recently completed or were enrolled in prerelease life skills courses. The data reveal these inmates to be a very depressed and anxious group with little self-esteem. Implications for further research and prison programming efforts are highlighted.