Mental Health Symptom Reduction in US Adults Postincarceration

Abstract

Purpose: The United States incarcerates a disproportionate number of individuals with mental health concerns, and social workers are the primary professionals interacting with this group as they reenter the community from prison. This prompts the need for effective behavioral health reentry interventions to support the transition from incarceration to community life. Method: This scoping literature review, conducted in November 2022, identified 1,072 publications, with 12 meeting full inclusion criteria. Results: The analysis underscores a prevalent emphasis in studies on incarcerated U.S. adults with mental health symptoms, particularly focusing on the impact of behavioral health interventions on recidivism rather than the reduction of mental health symptoms. Discussion: Notably, persistent knowledge gaps exist, including the absence of social work researchers and clinicians testing interventions for this population. The conclusion is a call to action, discussing implications for policy, research, and social work practice in addressing these challenges.