Introduction:

During the execution of sentences in prison units, there are deficiencies within the adaptation mechanisms of persons deprived of liberty, this varies depending on the place where they serve the sanction and the length of stay in it.

Objectives:

To collect information on the prevalence of mental and behavioural disorders in the prison setting, as well as the importance of early psychiatric intervention.

Material and method:

Theoretical review. Primary sources of information: scientific articles from indexed journals, in specialized medical information search engines. Original publications on mental and behavioural disorders in the prison and prison context were included, from 2016 to April 2021, with an analytical, observational, prospective, retrospective, cross-sectional and randomized design, systematic reviews and meta-analyzes, complete articles, carried out in any country, with subjects over 15 years of age, of any sex or gender, in English and Spanish.

Results:

16 articles were included in this theoretical review. The prevalence of mental disorders within the prison population is high; depression, anxiety, substance use and psychotic disorders predominate. The importance of having mental health programmes in prisons, with initial diagnosis and personalized interventions, was observed. The authors recommend psychopharmacological interventions and cognitive behavioural management.

Discussion:

The need to restructure the mental health approach in prisons was evidenced, and early diagnosis and personalized follow-up should be guaranteed. Pharmacological intervention and, to a greater degree, cognitive behavioural therapy seem to be effective for these types of patients.

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