Effectiveness of Current Counselling Modalities in lowering Depression and Anxiety among Prison Inmates: A Case Study of Nairobi West Prison

This study investigated the impact of current counseling modalities on the levels of depression and anxiety of inmates at Nairobi West Prison. In a pretest-posttest design with a control group, Beck's Depression Inventory and Beck's Anxiety Inventory were used to measure inmates' levels of depression and anxiety respectively, before and after a 12-week period of individual counseling sessions. The mean BDI-II score for the control group at baseline was M=24.416 while at end line it was M=23 suggesting moderate depression at both times. For the treatment group, the mean BDI-11 score at pre-test was M=22.846 while at post-test it was M=17.846, suggesting moderate depression before counselling and mild depression after. The mean BAI score for the control group at pre-test was M=16 suggesting mild anxiety, while at posttest it was M=16.916. In the treatment group, the mean baseline BAT score was M=20.769 suggesting moderate anxiety while at end line the mean score was M=17.692 indicating similar severity of anxiety symptoms. A paired samples t-test revealed that in this investigation, the current counseling modalities being used at Nairobi West Prison have no statistically significant effects on lowering depression and anxiety among inmates. Although results showed no significant decreases in depression and anxiety scores, fewer inmates were categorized as having severe depression or anxiety after the treatment. Recommendations for the future include having a permanent counselor at the prison; having shared objectives among counselors; and studying resilience among inmates.