I have a two part question about the long term psychological effects of incarceration?

Question

Let's say someone was in prison for quite some time, say 10 or more years
How hard is it to get over that? How long would it affect the person?


Would this be a form of post traumatic stress disorder? What would be some steps to manage this?


What if the person has already been out for a few years?

Any real information/resources would be appreciated. Thanks!

Okay, so it's two 2 part Q's...no it's not me, and I'm talking about what life is like for someone after they've gotten out.The adjustments etc.

Answer 1

EFFECTS OF LONG TERM INCARCERATION:
http://www.johnhoward.ab.ca/PUB/C35.htm

The Psychological Impact of Incarceration:
Implications for Post-Prison Adjustment :
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/prison2home02/Haney.htm

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is described as "the development of characteristic symptoms following exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor." In recent studies among incarcerated populations, PTSD has been found in approximately 48% of female inmates and 30% of male inmates.
More on that:
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/specific/fs_legal.html

Answer 2

Very hard, I think.

People usally think imprisonment as a therapy, and this is based on absurd theory that consider criminal like ill people.

I think on the other hand that long imprisonment give very serious problems. It is actually common that a person that has been in prison return in prison in a short time. This is an eviident signal that the allegged incarceration "therapy" is not working.

Answer 3

I am sure it affects them, but that is the whole idea behind putting them in prison. If there were no effects what would be the point of putting them in there? Free room and board? It is not PTSD, that comes from situations that are out of your control, not ones that you had a hand in putting yourself in.

Answer 4

On one hand, that was more than two questions. On the other, you wouldn't happen to be the one incarcerated, would ya?