Effects of long-term incarceration: a statistical comparison of two expert assessments of two experts at the beginning and the end of incarceration.

Several studies have been conducted on the effects of long-term imprisonment on mental health but only few with a longitudinal study design. Those with longitudinal design often have a very short observation period. In this study the data of 87 long-term prisoners have been compared over an average period of 14.6 years. A statistical comparison of two expert assessments of two experts at the beginning and the end of incarceration was made. Changes of mental disorders, of personality and intelligence tests and of physical diseases amongst others have been included in the analysis. The overall rate of psychological disorders decreased. Adjustment disorder had been initially identified in 25.2%. Personality test results described a stabilization of traits like depressive attitude, emotional instability and a decrease of hostility. Neither significant changes on the outcomes of the intelligence test nor significant changes of physical health were found. Though a decrease of psychological morbidity is described, the overall numbers of psychological disorders remain high compared to the non incarcerated population. A damaging effect of long-term imprisonment could not be proven by this study.