Research Method

Two random samples of prisoners on remand on solitary confinement and non-SC were selectively studied. Age was between 18 to 60, and both genders were included. The SC group consisted of 133 participants. The non-SC group consisted of 95 participants.

Using a parallel study design, participants in both groups were interviewed by psychiatrist after imprisonment and given cognitive assessment day after interview. The assessments were longitudinal repeated assessments.

The interview employed the following aspects: Present State Examination, 10th edn (PSE-10).; Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales (HAS & HDS); assessment of usage of drugs; Sociodemographic interview; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS); General Health Questionnaire; and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)

Medical as well as criminal files of each subject were examined.

A three-way analysis of variance was used to compare subjects without disorders when comparing those with disorders. Comparisons were tested for significance with Mann±Whitney's rank sum test.

Limitations

The results are only valid in western society with disciplinary rather than collusionary SC.

SC has different connotations and practices varying from country to country therefore difficult to measure.

This was not taken into account. To elaborate; a prisoner who feels idealistic about his SC-incurred punishment and the behavior that incurred it may be more resilient to psychopathology than 'regular' remand prisoners.
Adapted From

Andersen HS, Clinic of Forensic Psychiatry, Ministry of Justice, Copenhagen; Sestoft D, Psychiatric Department, Bispebjerg

University Hospital, Copenhagen Hospital Cooperation; Lillebnk T, Psychiatric Department, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Hospital Cooperation; Gabrielsen G, Institute of Theoretical Statistics, Copenhagen

Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark; Hemmingsen R, Psychiatric Department, Bispebjerg

University Hospital, Copenhagen Hospital Cooperation; and Kramp P. Clinic of Forensic Psychiatry, Ministry of Justice, Copenhagen.

Article Title: A longitudinal study of prisoners on remand: psychiatric prevalence, incidence and psychopathology in solitary vs. non-solitary confinement

Publisher: Munksgaard

Publication: Acta Psychiatr Scand

Publication Type: Refereed Journal

Date of Publication: 2000

ISSN 0902-4441

Volume: 102

Pages: 19- 25.