An Insight Into Mental Health in Detention Centers: Prison Programs and Their Effects on Depression

Prisons tend to have high populations of mental illness and a lack of mental health within their confines. While this vulnerable group is large and apparent to those in the system their needs are not being met in adequate ways. Prison programs however show to be a progression in this problem. This study examines the effects of three prison programs, animal-assisted training, higher education courses, and creative writing courses, on the overall mental health of an individual in prison. The anticipated results would show a positive increase in the mental health of individuals who participated in each program and a stabilizing effect on those without a program attendance