Mental health status of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian prisoners.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the mental health of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners in New South Wales.


METHODS
The sample consisted of a cross-sectional random sample of sentenced prisoners, and a consecutive sample of reception prisoners. The sample was drawn from 29 correctional centres (27 male, two female) across New South Wales. Overall, 1208 men (226 Aboriginal), and 262 women (51 Aboriginal) participated in the study. Mental illness was detected using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-A) and a number of other screening measures incorporated into the programme.


RESULTS
No differences were detected in mental illness between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men, apart from depression, which was lower in the latter group. Aboriginal woman were more likely than non-Aboriginal women to screen positive for symptoms of psychosis in the prior 12 months and have a higher 1 month and 12 month prevalence of affective disorder; they also had higher psychological distress scores. Suicidal thoughts and attempts were the same in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings confirm that the demand for mental health services in prisons is considerable, and that Aboriginal women are one of the most vulnerable groups. Services and programmes providing an alternative to incarceration are needed, as are culturally sensitive approaches to treatment.
Butler
Tony
T
Centre for Health Research in Criminal Justice, Suite 302, Westfield Officer Tower, Eastgardens, NSW 2035, Australia. tbutler2@optusnet.com.au
Allnutt
Stephen
S
Kariminia
Azar
A
Cain
David
D
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D009517:New South Wales; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data