Mental Health Treatment Preferences of Individuals Incarcerated at a Women’s Prison

The prevalence of mental illness is particularly high for incarcerated women. Numerous conventional supports for mental wellbeing are unavailable due to incarceration-specific environmental factors (e.g., restrictions on movement, separation from support systems, dorm or segregation living). Thus, the same strategies used to treat mental illness in the community may not necessarily translate to carceral settings, and a clearer understanding of the unique experiences and preferences of incarcerated individuals is needed. The current project surveyed individuals at a women’s prison about their mental health treatment preferences. Results showed high favorability for mental health treatment across the board, with the highest ratings for self-administered treatment options. Participants also preferred Department of Corrections (DOC) providers to peer providers and individual support to group support. Clinical considerations for the DOC are discussed, including prioritizing confidentiality, investing in self-administered options, incorporating individualized elements into group programming, and using preference surveys to inform resource allocation.