• Nancy Wolff, Jessica Huening, Jing Shi, and B Christopher Frueh.
• Center for Behavioral Health Services and Criminal Justice Research, Rutgers University, 176 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA, nwolff@cbhs.rutgers.edu.
• J Urban Health. 2014 Aug 1; 91 (4): 707-19.

AbstractTrauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms are prevalent among incarcerated men, suggesting a need for behavioral health intervention. A random sample of adult males (N = 592) residing in a single high-security prison were screened for trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Trauma was a universal experience among incarcerated men. Rates of current PTSD symptoms and lifetime PTSD were significantly higher (30 to 60 %) than rates found in the general male populations (3 to 6 %). Lifetime rates of trauma and PTSD were associated with psychiatric disorders. This study suggests the need for a gender-sensitive response to trauma among incarcerated men with modification for comorbid mental disorders and type of trauma exposure. Developing gender-sensitive trauma interventions for incarcerated men and testing them is necessary to improve the behavioral health outcomes of incarcerated men who disproportionately return to urban communities.

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