Post-Incarceration Syndrome

‍ What is Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS)?

When someone is released from prison, they may face significant challenges adjusting back into everyday life. One way these challenges have been described is through the concept of Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS).

According to the National Incarceration Association, PICS refers to a range of psychological, emotional and social difficulties that arise as a result of being in prison.

Signs and symptoms of PICS

The experience of PICS varies widely from one individual to another, but some commonly noted features include:

• Persistent depression, feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities

• Anxiety, nervousness, fear that may appear disproportionate to the immediate situation

• Symptoms of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) such as flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of triggers related to incarceration

• Difficulty adjusting to life outside prison, including finding and keeping work, maintaining relationships, and navigating the justice system

• Social isolation, shame, stigma, loss of social support networks

What causes PICS?

A range of factors may contribute to the development of PICS:

• Trauma: The experience of being in prison itself can expose a person to trauma.

• Loss of social support: Being removed from family, community and familiar networks can lead to isolation and difficulty re-building relationships.

• Loss of skills/knowledge: Time in prison can interrupt employment, learning, and training, making reintegration into the workforce more difficult.

• Stigma: Having been in prison carries stigma that can limit access to housing, employment and meaningful relationships.

• Lack of resources: On release, individuals may face significant barriers accessing housing, employment, healthcare, education and other supports.

How PICS affects individuals, families and society

For the individual who has been in prison, PICS can be a barrier to moving on with life: difficulties securing or maintaining employment, establishing safe housing, and rebuilding supportive relationships.

The families of individuals who have been in prison are also impacted – including impacts on their family relationships, mental health and finances.

Communities and society more generally are also impacted. If people who have been in prison struggle without support, there are increased demands on social services, mental health services, and potentially higher risks of re-conviction.

What can help? Support and interventions

While PICS is not a formal diagnosis, its features point to essential supports for people re- after prison. Possible interventions include:

• Access to mental health treatment: therapy, counselling and where appropriate, medication.

• Structured throughcare support: assistance with housing, employment, education/training, and connecting with community services.

• Peer support and mentoring: linking with people who have lived experience of leaving prison can help normalise the adjustment process and provide role models.

• Reducing stigma: encouraging community, employer and service-provider awareness of the lived reality of people returning from prison helps build acceptance and opportunity.

• Helping people to rebuild skills and routines: supporting training, education, volunteering, and gradual return to meaningful roles.

What can services and professionals do?

For justice, health and community services, there are important implications:

• Be trauma-informed in approach: recognise that people returning from prison may carry the effects trauma and barriers to reintegration.

• Provide coordinated support: bridging prison-to-community transitions for housing, health and employment is crucial.

• Ensure mental-health services are accessible, understand the context of re-entry and integrate with other supports (housing, job-coach, peer groups).

• Promote employer, landlord and community awareness about the realities of returning from prison - and the value of giving people a second chance.

• Monitor and adapt supports for those who find the transition especially difficult (long-term prison, multiple sentences, little community support) - it may take longer and require more tailored interventions.

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