Life Behind Bars: A Study of the Psychological, Social, and Emotional Conditions of Prison Inmates in Pakistan

Abstract

Imprisonment serves as a complex multi-faceted societal system that profoundly impacts an individual's social, emotional, and psychological development. This study examined the social, emotional and psychological well-being of 250 male prisoners in Pakistan, using a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study design. A questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was employed to collect the data; SPSS was then used to analyze the collected data using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions. As a result of the study, approximately 87.2% of the inmates indicated they perceived the crowding at the institution as a serious problem. Additionally, a substantial number of inmates reported the length of their imprisonment had negatively impacted their mental and emotional well-being (approximately 82.8%). It was also found that a substantial number of the inmates expressed high levels of sadness (approximately 90.4%), and anxiety regarding their future (approximately 82.8%). Regression analysis revealed the primary predictors of psychological distress were the living conditions in the prison (\beta=-.38, p=.001), and the length of time incarcerated (\beta= .30, p=.005). However, 78.4% of the inmates indicated they were able to adaptively cope with their confinement through various means (e.g., through praying, reading, or receiving support from fellow inmates). Overall, the study indicates that the structure of the institutions have a negative impact on the inmate's overall well-being while social support, and rehabilitation programs have the potential to mitigate this effect. The study recommends that providing adequate mental health counseling and vocational training will aid in successful reentry into society.