Understanding the Impact of Severe Mental Illness on Prison Program Participation and Parole Release Decisions

Background and Purpose: This study examined the extent to which severe mental illness (SMI) impacts parole release decisions either directly or indirectly through its association with other release factors (e.g. substance abuse, housing, conduct while in prison, etc.) that are considered when assessing an offender's parole eligibility. One of the primary aims of this study was to assess how SMI is related to social participation while incarcerated; as such participation is considered in the release decision-making process and also may be predictive of social participation and integration upon release. As a result, the study addressed the following questions: 1) To what extent do prisoners with SMI differ from other prisoners in their degree of participation in work and therapeutic programming while incarcerated? 2) To what extent is this social participation related to parole release decisions?

Methods: A random sample of 400 administrative records (200 inmates with SMI and 200 inmates without SMI) were collected from the New Jersey State Parole Board. Release decision and data on inmates' criminal history, education, employment, financial standing, social supports, substance abuse, and attitudes towards crime were collected. Data was also collected on specific diagnoses, level of functioning, program participation (e.g. academic, therapeutic, vocational), and work assignment history while incarcerated. Bivariate analyses were run to assess differences between the SMI and non-SMI groups. Each variable found to significantly differentiate the two groups in the bivariate analysis was placed as the dependent variable in a multivariate model that included the presence of SMI and variables found to be significant in the previous analysis in order to assess whether or not the presence of SMI explained the difference between the two groups. Finally, logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between study variables and release decision. Odds ratios are presented to identify the effect size of each factor in relation to release decisions.

Results: There were significant differences between SMI and non-SMI inmates. The presence of SMI was a significant predictor of these differences among many of the variables tested. Moreover, mental illness appeared to have an indirect effect on parole release decisions. For example social isolation, poor attitudes toward supervision and homelessness reduced chances for parole release and the presence of mental illness significantly predicted the presence of these characteristics in offenders. This suggests inmates with SMI could be at a distinct disadvantage for receiving parole as a result of their SMI and its manifestations.

Conclusions and Implications: Identifying specific factors, including program participation, and parole release decisions that are negatively affected by an inmate's mental health status allow the prison system to strategically address the needs of its mentally ill prisoners. Targeting existing resources to these areas may promote the successful re-entry of mentally ill inmates back into the community. Assessing program participation among inmates with SMI in particular can inform correctional policies and practices that promote engagement in needed therapeutic and skill-building activities among persons most in need of such programs, with the potential for promoting long-term positive social engagement and integration.