Depressive Symptoms and Distress among Male and Female Inmates: Evidence from a National Remand Prison in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The imprisoned population experiences a unique constellation of risk factors that threaten psychological well-being, with prior research suggesting that mental health burdens may disproportionately affect female inmates. These burdens are further exacerbated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where empirical evidence remains limited. To address this gap, the present descriptive cross-sectional study (N = 325) examined the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms and psychological distress among male and female prisoners in a national-level remand prison in Sri Lanka. A substantial proportion of prisoners from both genders reported depressive symptoms and psychological distress, while no significant gender differences were observed in either the prevalence or severity of these symptoms. Exploratory analyses identified educational attainment and substance use as factors associated with adverse mental health outcomes. These findings highlight a considerable and under-recognized mental health burden among incarcerated individuals in Sri Lanka and underscore the need for contextually appropriate mental health policies and interventions within prison settings.