Factors Predicting Levels of Female Inmates' Use of Psychological Services

The number of female inmates in state and federal correctional institutions has increased dramatically over the past several years. In addition to this overall increase in number, women have greater levels of mental health service use than men, both in the community and during incarceration. It is important to understand what factors are associated with varying amounts of mental health service use as this population continues to grow. This study explores the influence of female inmate characteristics, including demographic variables and mental health service use before incarceration, on a continuous dependent measure of overall psychological services use during incarceration. Results indicate that for a sample of female inmates within the federal prison system, U.S. citizenship, prior community-based receipt of mental health services, and history of substance abuse were the strongest predictors of increased service use while incarcerated. Findings concerning routine versus volitional services suggest that female inmates with less severe mental health problems are among those who volitionally seek mental health services during incarceration. Recommendations for correctional mental health services training, practice, and research are made.