title: Prospective cohort study of mental health during imprisonment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mental illness is common among prisoners, but little evidence exists regarding changes in symptoms in custody over time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence and predictors of psychiatric symptoms among prisoners during early custody.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective cohort study, 3079 prisoners were screened for mental illness within 3 days of reception. To establish baseline diagnoses and symptoms, 980 prisoners were interviewed; all remaining in custody were followed up 1 month and 2 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptom prevalence was highest during the first week of custody. Prevalence showed a linear decline among men and convicted prisoners, but not women or remand prisoners. It decreased among prisoners with depression, but not among prisoners with other mental illnesses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, imprisonment did not exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, although differences in group responses were observed. Continued discussion regarding non-custodial alternatives for vulnerable groups and increased support for all during early custody are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester, Room 2.314, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. lamiece.hassan@nhs.net
authors.forename: Lamiece
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Birmingham
authors.forename: Mari A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Harty
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jarrett
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Carlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lathlean
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lowthian
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Senior
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thornicroft
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult