How well is the “Mental well-being” of Prison Inmates? An Exploratory Study from a Prison of Western UP

Background: Prison inmates experience significantly higher rates of mental health illness compared to the general population, making their mental health an important public health issue. This study aimed to assess the status of mental illness, focusing on anxiety and depression in a central prison of western UP. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2022 and January 2024 among 300 inmates. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule including the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Stratified sampling with proportional allocation was used to select inmates based on their offenses. Chi-square test and logistic regression were applied to assess the relationships between mental illness, sociodemographic characteristics, and the nature of crime. Results: The study found that 59% of inmates were diagnosed with mental illness, 49% experienced anxiety, 37% exhibited depression, and 27.6% had both anxiety and depression. The average HAM-A score was 7.35 ± 5.70, and the mean depression score was 6.98 ± 5.75. Inmates aged 31–50 had significantly higher adjusted odds of mental illness (AOR: 3.19 and 3.16). OBC caste (AOR: 3.80) and upper-class status (AOR: 3.85) were also linked to higher risk, while illiteracy had lower odds (AOR: 0.39). A significant association (χ 2 = 6.771, P = 0.009) between crime type and mental illness, with nonviolent offenders showing a higher prevalence of mental illness (73.02%) compared to violent offenders (54.85%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of mental illness, particularly among prison inmates involved in nonviolent crimes, underscores the need for targeted mental health interventions in prisons to support rehabilitation and reintegration.