Pregnant in Prison—The Incarcerated Woman’s Experience: A Preliminary Descriptive Study

Abstract

This is an exploratory study of depression in pregnant women incarcerated in a state prison in California. It was hypothesized that the inmates would experience higher levels of postpartum depression than would nonincarcerated women who have recently given birth. Participants were 120 inmates who recently gave birth while incarcerated. They were interviewed and given the Beck Depression Inventory. It was found that none of the participants were clinically depressed. Descriptive statistics are presented in detail. A qualitative component of the study explored the life experiences of pregnancy by participants. Future research will empirically address the lack of depression or negative reaction to incarcerated pregnancy.