@article{ref1,
title="Is there a recognizable post-incarceration syndrome among released "lifers"?",
journal="International journal of law and psychiatry",
year="2013",
author="Liem, Marieke and Kunst, Maarten",
volume="36",
number="3-4",
pages="333-337",
abstract="It has been suggested that released prisoners experience a unique set of mental health symptoms related to, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder. We sought to empirically assess whether there is a recognizable post-incarceration syndrome that captures the unique effects of incarceration on mental health. We conducted in-depth life interviews with 25 released &quot;lifers&quot; (individuals serving a life sentence), who served an average of 19years in a state correctional institution. We assessed to what extent the symptoms described by the participants overlapped with other mental disorders, most notably PTSD. The narratives indicate a specific cluster of mental health symptoms: In addition to PTSD, this cluster was characterized by institutionalized personality traits, social-sensory disorientation, and alienation. Our findings suggest that post-incarceration syndrome constitutes a discrete subtype of PTSD that results from long-term imprisonment. Recognizing Post-Incarceration Syndrome may allow for more adequate recognition of the effects of incarceration and treatment among ex-inmates and ultimately, successful re-entry into society.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0160-2527",
doi="10.1016/j.ijlp.2013.04.012",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2013.04.012"
}