A study of sleep in northern New England correctional facilities.

STUDY

OBJECTIVES

This study explored inmates' sleep at two detention facilities in northern New England.

METHODS

We randomly distributed a sleep/demographic questionnaire and the insomnia severity index (ISI) to 140 (35%) inmates at a Vermont (VT) state prison and a New Hampshire (NH) county jail. We also conducted brief semistructured interviews with 23 inmates to explore their sleep experience while incarcerated.

RESULTS

Sixty-four/one hundred forty (46%) of the inmates completed both surveys. The average ISI score of the inmates was 15.4. 37/64 (58%) of respondents reported severe insomnia symptoms (ISI ≥ 15), In qualitative interviews, inmates most consistently cited physical conditions, especially uncomfortable bedding as the chief obstacle to good sleep.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the quantitative ISI survey and the qualitative interview data document high rates of insomnia complaints in a VT state prison and NH county jail. Inmates most frequently cited poor bedding as the chief obstacle to good sleep.