Open Access

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Emotional Impact of Health Emergencies in Prison: Planning, Response, and Resilience in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Francisco Javier González-Riera¹, Julio Torrejón-Martínez², Luis El Khoury-Moreno², Javier Fagundo-Rivera³, Juan Gómez-Salgado^3,4,*
1 Department of Health Education and Community Participation, Jaén and Jaén Sur Health District, Andalusian Health Service, Junta de Andalucía, Jaén, Spain
2 Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
3 Department of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
4 Graduate Program in Safety and Health, Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
* Corresponding Author: Juan Gómez-Salgado. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Exploring the Psychological Impact of Disasters and Emergency Events)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2026.083647

Received 07 April 2026; Accepted 20 July 2026; Published online 19 August 2026

Abstract

Background: Prisons represent highly vulnerable environments during public health emergencies because of overcrowding, limited healthcare resources, poor infrastructure, and the high prevalence of physical and mental health conditions among incarcerated populations. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these structural vulnerabilities and highlighted the need to integrate psychological support into emergency preparedness and response. This Brief Communication aimed to examine the psychological challenges associated with public health emergencies in prison settings and to summarize evidence on strategies that may strengthen institutional preparedness and resilience. Methods: An analytical narrative review was conducted based on peer-reviewed publications, international guidelines, and reports from recognized health organizations. Relevant evidence addressing the psychological consequences of public health emergencies, emergency preparedness, institutional resilience, and mental health interventions in correctional settings was identified and narratively synthesized to provide an evidence-informed overview of current knowledge. Results: Available evidence indicates that public health emergencies substantially increase psychological distress among incarcerated individuals by intensifying pre-existing structural vulnerabilities. Prolonged isolation, suspension of family visits, disruption of daily routines, and reduced access to mental health services were consistently associated with increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, fear, emotional distress, and suicidal behaviours. The interaction between chronic confinement and emergency-related restrictions negatively affected coping capacity, adherence to preventive measures, and overall institutional functioning. The literature also supports the implementation of evidence-based interventions, including structured risk communication, psychological screening, telemedicine, continuity of mental healthcare, staff training, multidisciplinary coordination, and validated assessment instruments such as the Anxiety and Fear Assessment of COVID-19 (AMICO_Inmates) scale to identify psychological distress and guide timely interventions. Conclusions: Mental health should be considered a core component of emergency preparedness and response in prison systems. Integrating psychological assessment, evidence-based interventions, coordinated governance, and ethical principles into emergency planning may improve institutional resilience, protect psychological well-being, and strengthen preparedness for future public health emergencies in correctional settings.

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Keywords

Prison mental health; health emergencies; COVID-19 in prisons; institutional resilience; crisis management

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