Although the United States incarcerates nearly two million people, the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in correctional populations is not well understood, and no study has examined temporal trends in psychiatric disorder prevalences within a single correctional system. This study assessed how psychiatric disorder prevalences have changed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the largest American state prison system housing post-conviction, sentenced individuals.

This retrospective cohort study of TDCJ electronic medical record data from 1 January 2016 through 31 December 2023 included all persons incarcerated for any duration during that period. Diagnoses were based on International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) diagnostic codes. Outcomes were annual prevalences of depressive, bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders stratified by age, race and sex. Cochran-Armitage Tests were used to assess temporal trends within each stratum. Two-way interactions were assessed by fitting Generalized Estimating Equations models using autoregressive correlation with repeated subjects.

The overall population ranged from 170,269 to 222,798 individuals. Approximately, one-third were White (34.5–35.4%), one-third Black (31.0–32.3%), and one-third Hispanic (32.7–33.5%). Most were aged 30–49 (52.8–57.3%), and men (88.9–90.7%) outnumbered women (9.3–11.1%). The prevalences (per 100 [95% CI]) of psychiatric disorders generally increased when comparing 2016 to 2023. Depressive disorders increased the most among those aged 30–49 (5.23 [5.10–5.35] to 6.71 [6.56–6.86]), Hispanic individuals (3.86 [3.72–4.00] to 5.72 [5.53–5.90]), and men (4.72 [4.63–4.82] to 6.53 [6.42–6.65]). Bipolar disorders increased the most among those aged ≥50 (2.57 [2.42–2.72] to 3.46 [3.29–3.63]), Hispanic individuals (1.31 [1.23–1.40] to 2.23 [2.11–2.35]), and men (2.26 [2.20–2.33] to 3.12 [3.04–3.20]). Schizophrenia spectrum disorders increased the most among those aged ≤29 (1.33 [1.24–1.42] to 2.52 [2.35–2.68]), Hispanic individuals (1.53 [1.44–1.62] to 3.21 [3.35–4.40]), and women (1.27 [1.56–1.89] to 4.24 [3.95–4.53]). When stratified by demographic variables, trend tests were significant for nearly all comparisons (P < 0.0001), and all two-way interactions were significant (P < 0.0001).

The prevalences of major psychiatric disorders in the Texas prison system increased when comparing 2016 to 2023, with certain disorders rising more rapidly than others within specific subgroups. These findings emphasize the need for expanded mental health treatment options and resources within correctional settings.