Ariel Cook

“God does not love us if we change, God loves us so that we can change.”
― Richard Rohr

*Adapted From my Abnormal Psychology Research Project Fall 2021 in Collaboration with Clinical Psychologist and Loyola Marymount Psychology Professor Brett Maroquinn.

Foreword

Every single human being craves love, competency, purpose, and hope. Our relational nature is, in fact, one of the most defining aspects of what it means to be human. Yet somehow, when it comes to prisoners, especially black and brown prisoners, we have decided that these innate human inclinations no longer exist. “They love to do bad, and if they didn’t want to do bad, they wouldn’t go to jail,” this seems to be, in large part, the conservative opinion on the higher rates of people of color in prisons. Not only does this not acknowledge how many black and brown people are falsely incarcerated or face exaggerated charges/sentences, but it also doesn’t account for the full humanity of those who do commit crimes.

These people aren’t evil; in fact, individuals are never the issue. Richard Rohr, Franciscan friar, who formerly worked in the prisons teaching theology and spiritual practices, states that “every individual evil is first socially legitimated.” The prison industrial system creates more evil and facilitates wickedness in a way that no individual could produce on their own. Those who go into prison typically are released in a worse psychological state to begin with. When we approach those who are breaking the law as those who are unworthy and deserving of suffering, because of some sort of moral account of their actions, we create more harm than “justice”. Overall, punishment and incarceration alone are insufficient to address the complex factors contributing to criminal behavior. To promote lasting behavioral change, it is essential to invest in rehabilitation, education, mental health treatment, and community support services that address the underlying causes of criminality and facilitate successful reintegration into society. This is why many previously incarcerated people end up back in the prison system or repeating crimes they’ve already committed.

Repeated Incarcerations and the impact of Isolation on Mental Health

Although it is well-known that many incarcerated individuals already have a psychiatric disorder, the number of inmates who experience the onset of a psychiatric disorder while incarcerated is rarely discussed. Ultimately, many inmates with long-standing psychiatric conditions do not show positive behavioral changes after their release from incarceration. This is likely linked to the fact that isolation and the lack of mental health treatment in prison contribute to unhealthy behaviors such as constant rumination, impaired neuroplasticity, and heightened feelings of anger and shame.

Unfortunately, these negative emotions and behaviors often become the foundation for further destructive actions, including violence, which is a key reason why so many inmates are re-incarcerated. In a Dutch study researching the correlation between mental illness and inmates considered to be repeat offenders, its reported that “more than one-half of the offenders who had multiple psychiatric reports were not receiving treatment from mental health services.” This study aligned closely with a study done in America that reached the same conclusion stating in the results section that: “Inmates with major psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and nonschizophrenic psychotic disorders) had substantially increased risks of multiple incarcerations over the 6-year study period. The greatest increase in risk was observed among inmates with bipolar disorders, who were 3.3 times more likely to have had four or more previous incarcerations compared with inmates who had no major psychiatric disorder.” This information is incredibly valuable because it highlights two crucial points. First, it shows that many inmates already suffer from mental health conditions, and incarceration often exacerbates these psychiatric disorders. Second, it underscores that the lack of proper mental health care in prisons is a significant factor contributing to the high rates of incarceration, far more so than any narrative suggesting that certain races are more prone to criminal behavior.

Across prisons worldwide—regardless of whether the inmates are white, black, American, or European—mental health care is often insufficient or entirely lacking. This universal issue affects individuals from all backgrounds and can lead to a cycle of worsening mental health, which further perpetuates criminal behavior. Instead of focusing on race or ethnicity as factors in crime, we should be looking at the systemic lack of adequate mental health treatment in the criminal justice system.

By failing to address mental health needs, prisons create environments that foster unhealthy behaviors, such as heightened aggression, depression, and recidivism. The widespread neglect of psychiatric care within prisons is a global problem that contributes to mass incarceration. Addressing this issue could be a key factor in breaking the cycle of crime and imprisonment for many individuals, regardless of their background.

The Psychology of Punishment

In an extensive meta-analysis comprising 88 studies, psychologist Elizabeth Thompson Gershoff, PhD, from the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University, examined the correlation between corporal punishment and various behaviors, both favorable and unfavorable, exhibited by children. Ultimately, strong punishment/abuse led to much higher rates of aggression and “normative” punishment like an occasional spanking didn’t yield any positive results or traits. At best, the less intensive corporal punishment will reduce some negative behavior. However, Gershoff appropriately states that, “Until researchers, clinicians, and parents can definitively demonstrate the presence of positive effects of corporal punishment, including effectiveness in halting future misbehavior, not just the absence of negative effects, we as psychologists cannot responsibly recommend its use.”

Punishment and incarceration, while sometimes necessary for maintaining order and safety in society, often fail to lead to long-term changes in behavior due to several reasons:

• Lack of Rehabilitation Programs: Many prison systems lack sufficient resources for rehabilitation programs aimed at addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, such as addiction, mental health issues, or lack of education and job skills. Without adequate support for rehabilitation, individuals are more likely to return to criminal behavior upon release.
• Stigmatization and Marginalization: Individuals who have been punished or incarcerated often face stigma and discrimination upon reentering society. This marginalization can make it difficult for them to find employment, housing, or social support, increasing the likelihood of recidivism.
• Incarceration Culture: Prisons and correctional facilities often have a culture that fosters criminal behavior rather than rehabilitation. Exposure to violence, gangs, and other negative influences within the prison environment can reinforce criminal attitudes and behaviors.
• Trauma and Mental Health Issues: Many individuals who experience punishment or incarceration suffer from trauma or mental health issues as a result of their experiences. Without proper treatment and support, these underlying issues can contribute to ongoing behavioral problems.
• Disconnection from Support Networks: Punishment and incarceration can disrupt social support networks, such as family and community ties, which are crucial for successful reintegration into society. Without these support systems, individuals may struggle to adapt to life outside of prison.
• Limited Focus on Restorative Justice: Traditional punitive approaches often prioritize punishment over repairing harm done to victims and communities. Restorative justice approaches, which focus on repairing relationships and addressing the needs of all parties involved, have been shown to be more effective in reducing recidivism and promoting behavioral change.

We see the ramifications of these shortcomings all the time with previous inmates who, upon release, out of fear, try to avoid certain behaviors; however, immediately after they make a mistake, they immediately fall back into old behaviors. This is because they have certain beliefs about themselves like “I am bad,” “I can never do things right,” “I will never be perfect/moral.” That’s why guilt, shame, and fear are never good motivators. We know that incarceration is not successful because it continues to produce unhealthy people. However, if these people knew they had an inherent dignity that couldn’t be proven or taken away by accomplishments or mistakes, they wouldn’t fall into old habits as easily.

Spirituality and What Changes Us

Many people think that if we face consequences for our bad behavior this will lead to repentance and then once we are “perfect” or “worthy” we will be ready to receive love. The prison system is essentially saying that after you are punished and feel bad for what you’ve done you will change your behavior and deserve to be reintegrated back into society. But when psychologists and spiritual teachers look into what changes us the pattern of change is very clear. Love comes first! The majority of people who have experienced a spiritual awakening after coming to the end of their own devices, and surrendering to reality, usually after some tragedy, suffering, or moral failure always discover that they are loved. People who have spiritual beliefs tend to be far more dedicated to pursuing moral behavior not because they want to be worthy but because they know they are loved and they want to return the love that they’ve received.

Guilt, Shame, and the belief that we are our mistakes is what leads us to cause harm. Feelings of guilt and shame often stem from a belief that we have failed to meet certain standards or expectations, either our own or those of others. This can lead to a negative self-perception and a sense of worthlessness, which may fuel destructive behaviors as individuals seek to cope with or escape from these feelings. Thus, engaging in destructive behaviors can further exacerbate feelings of guilt and shame, creating a vicious cycle where individuals continue to engage in harmful actions to cope with or alleviate their negative emotions. People who continue to grow throughout their lives and move beyond their mistakes do not define themselves by their failures or past. They understand that their true identity is separate from their ego. When we base our identity in love, we build a strong foundation, enabling us to reflect honestly on our actions. However, if our identity is tied to our actions, it becomes an unstable foundation that prevents us from truly examining our behavior. When your identity is rooted in your soul, rather than your ego, you gain the freedom to assess your actions and behaviors objectively. This allows you to detach from past mistakes and recognize that they do not define who you are.If we don’t move away from outdated ideas about corporal punishment we will surely continue to further harm those who need support and guidance most. The high rates of incarceration are more a reflection of the neglect of serious mental illness in disenfranchised communities than a problem of insufficient laws or punishment.

References

“Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps” by Richard Rohr

“Shame and Guilt (Emotions and Social Behavior)” by Ronda L. Dearing and June Price Tangney

“Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors and experiences: A meta-analytic and theoretical review.” by Gershoff, Elizabeth Thompson “Prison as Punishment: A Behavior-Analytic Evaluation of Incarceration” Alexis B. Apel and James W. Diller

“Prison as Punishment: A Behavior-Analytic Evaluation of Incarceration” by Alexis B. Apel

Schnittker J, Massoglia M, Uggen C. Out and down: incarceration and psychiatric disorders. J Health Soc Behav. 2012;53(4):448-64. doi: 10.1177/0022146512453928. PMID: 23197484.

Baillargeon J, Binswanger IA, Penn JV, Williams BA, Murray OJ. Psychiatric disorders and repeat incarcerations: the revolving prison door. Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Jan;166(1):103-9. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.08030416. Epub 2008 Dec 1. PMID: 19047321.

Pinta ER. Psychiatric disorders and repeat incarcerations: is there an epidemic? Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Apr;166(4):489-90; author reply 490. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09010054. PMID: 19339367.

Vinkers DJ, de Beurs E, Barendregt M. Psychiatric disorders and repeat offending. Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Apr;166(4):489. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09010060. PMID: 19339368.