IMPACT OF LIFETIME IMPRISONMENT ON MENTAL HEALTH OF PRISON INMATES

  • Unique Paper ID: 183963
  • PageNo: 3756-3761
  • Abstract:
  • Lifetime incarceration, a punishment that forces individuals to remain in prison for the entirety of their lives, has significant psychological implications for inmates. This research investigates the psychological effects of lifetime incarceration, emphasizing the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral repercussions for incarcerated individuals. Inmates sentenced to life without the possibility of parole frequently encounter various issues including depression, anxiety, and crises of identity. The perpetual threat of mortality in prison, along with social isolation, absence of purpose, and the breakdown of personal identity, greatly contributes to the deterioration of mental health. Furthermore, the coping strategies adopted by these individuals, such as aggression or withdrawal, can further hinder rehabilitation efforts. This research explores the complex psychological burden, the enduring impacts on mental wellness, and the ramifications for policy changes within prison systems. It also highlights the necessity for mental health assistance and therapeutic measures for lifers to alleviate psychological harm and support their overall well-being.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{183963,
        author = {Priya Nain and Aditya Arya},
        title = {IMPACT OF LIFETIME IMPRISONMENT ON MENTAL HEALTH OF PRISON INMATES},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {3},
        pages = {3756-3761},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=183963},
        abstract = {Lifetime incarceration, a punishment that forces individuals to remain in prison for the entirety of their lives, has significant psychological implications for inmates. This research investigates the psychological effects of lifetime incarceration, emphasizing the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral repercussions for incarcerated individuals. Inmates sentenced to life without the possibility of parole frequently encounter various issues including depression, anxiety, and crises of identity. The perpetual threat of mortality in prison, along with social isolation, absence of purpose, and the breakdown of personal identity, greatly contributes to the deterioration of mental health. Furthermore, the coping strategies adopted by these individuals, such as aggression or withdrawal, can further hinder rehabilitation efforts. This research explores the complex psychological burden, the enduring impacts on mental wellness, and the ramifications for policy changes within prison systems. It also highlights the necessity for mental health assistance and therapeutic measures for lifers to alleviate psychological harm and support their overall well-being.},
        keywords = {Lifetime Incarceration, Psychological Effects, Inmates, Mental Wellness, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Identity Crisis, Rehabilitation, Coping Strategies, Prison Systems, Therapeutic Measures.},
        month = {August},
        }

Cite This Article

Nain, P., & Arya, A. (2025). IMPACT OF LIFETIME IMPRISONMENT ON MENTAL HEALTH OF PRISON INMATES. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(3), 3756–3761.

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