Mental Health for Incarcerated Women: How is America Treating Them?

Abstract

This essay examines the effects of incarceration on the mental health of female inmates and comments on what America could be doing to help them. In this essay the topic of female incarceration is viewed through an intersectional lens in tandem with systemic racism and oppression. It begins with a personal narrative describing the life of a girl named Mar, who was wronged by the system, and moves into a discussion on the failings of our current system. This essay focuses on topics through the timeline of incarceration; entry into the system, life while incarcerated, and finally, life after incarceration. Each topic is discussed in depth and includes ways to improve standards for incarcerated women and assist them in receiving proper mental health care.