Mosotho, N. L.Modupi, Mosa Bonolo2022-03-222022-03-222019-11http://hdl.handle.net/11660/11549Mental disorders are reportedly more prevalent in prisons than expected. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among offenders admitted at the health establishments in Bizzah Makhathe Correctional Centre, Kroonstad, South Africa. Structured psychiatric interviews were conducted to elicit the information. The majority of the participants were young males, black Africans with low educational levels, coming from low socio-economic backgrounds. Crimes against human beings were jointly the most common ones committed by the offenders. The lifetime prevalence of mental disorders was 54.7%. Personality disorders, followed by substance and addictive disorders were the most prominent disorders among the study sample. Other psychiatric disorders noted were depressive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum, intellectual disabilities and neurocognitive disorders, etc. It is agreed that a notable number of prisoners suffering from mental disorders goes undetected, undiagnosed and untreated. Constructs of competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility should always be observed. There is a need to conduct more empirical studies on the prevalence and incidences of mental disorders in correctional service centres in South Africa.enDissertation (M.Med. (Psychiatry))--University of the Free State, 2019OffendersHealth facilitiesPsychiatric interviewMental health -- correctional service centreMental illness -- DiagnosisMental illness -- CrimesDissertationUniversity of the Free State