Lifetime abuse among male inmates in an italian prison: Psychiatric clinical correlates

Abstract

Aim to evaluate the prevalence of lifetime abuse in inmates of the Spoleto prison (Umbria, Italy) as well as the association with psychiatric disorders, Axis I or II, lifetime drug abuse, self-harm in the inmates and the history of legal problems or lifetime drug abuse in their parents. Subjects and methods Five hundred and twenty-six convicted males incarcerated in the Spoleto Prison between October 2010 and September 2011 were evaluated by trained interviewers with the SCID-I, the SCID-II, the ASI-X and the DSHI. Chi 2 tests were performed to examine the relation between the history of lifetime abuse and the different clinical features. Results Ninety-seven (18.4%) inmates reported a lifetime history of abuse. Among them, 65 (67%) suffered from an Axis I diagnosis and 65 (67%) were given an Axis II diagnosis. Inmates that reported a lifetime history of abuse were more likely to have an Axis II diagnosis ( P =.002) but not an Axis I diagnosis ( P =0.086) or a lifetime drug abuse ( P =0.060) than those without abuse. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between history of abuse and lifetime self-harm in inmates ( P P Conclusion Even though a lifetime history of abuse is not so frequently reported in our sample of inmates, the high rates of psychiatric disorders among those abused and the correlation with self-harm should be taken in consideration when needs of inmates are evaluated, mainly in those who require psychiatric treatments.