Jessica Young

This paper proceeds from the well-established legal and professional consensus that incarcerated persons are entitled to adequate medical care under US constitutional law and professional ethical standards. Within this framework, it examines the health implications and ethical challenges of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use in incarcerated populations, where prescribing occurs within state-controlled institutional environments. Many incarcerated individuals experience disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety, for which SSRIs are commonly prescribed. However, concerns have emerged regarding the downstream effects of SSRI use in correctional settings, including symptom exacerbation, increased suicidality, withdrawal, and disruptions in medication adherence—particularly during transitions into and out of custody. This paper argues that ethical SSRI prescribing in corrections requires careful assessment, attention to continuity of care, and consideration of nonpharmacologic alternatives, supported by institutional practices that enable monitoring, therapy, and coordinated discharge planning. Fostering collaboration among mental health professionals, medical providers, and discharge planners is therefore essential to meeting both individual ethical obligations and broader public health responsibilities.