How Staying in Jail Can Negatively Impact Your Health

Jails are a perfect petri dish for viruses because there are so many people crammed into small spaces, which makes it hard to avoid sick people. On top of that, the strict regulation of personal hygiene products like soap and the lack of adequate medical care can worsen the spread of viruses.

It's not just seasonal colds and flus that run rampant in jails. Any communicable disease can quickly spread if just one person becomes infected. In many cases, the infected person may enter the jail already infected with tuberculosis, an STD, etc.

Finally, many larger buildings, including jails, may have poor ventilation systems, which contribute to the spread of diseases. Experts agree that the more stagnant indoor air is, the easier it is for diseases to spread. With so many people in a confined space, the ventilation system may also struggle to remove moisture, and too much moisture can promote virus reproduction.

Getting arrested and preparing for your trial is stressful, and staying in jail to await your hearing only adds to that stress. Without the same freedoms you'd experience while out on bail, you may be constantly worried about your case as well as your personal life. When you're in jail, you have little control over your job, your finances, your relationships, and your obligations. 

Stress leads to negative side effects and bad behavior. Physical symptoms of too much stress include headaches, muscle pain, chest pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. Stress also affects your mood, causing anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, irritability, and lack of motivation.

Irritability is one of the worst side effects of stress because it may lead you to make poor decisions like getting into a fight with another inmate or breaking other rules that could lead to a stricter punishment. 

Naturally, being stuck in jail with little freedom while also being separated from family and friends affects your mood. Depression and anxiety are two of the major culprits. Depression may lead to thoughts of suicide or leave you unmotivated to work on your case. As with stress, depression can also affect your physical health by causing fatigue, headaches, and digestive problems.

Anxiety arises for many reasons and comes in many forms. However, it generally makes your life difficult by causing restlessness, trouble concentrating, frequent worrying, etc. If you experience an anxiety attack, you may feel dizzy, distressed, or fearful. Just like with depression, anxiety can cause you to make poor decisions, which may negatively impact your case.

Both depression and anxiety can make your time in jail even worse, but if left untreated for long enough, mood disorders can stick around. Even after you are found innocent and released from jail, you may still struggle with the depression or anxiety you developed while in jail. In severe cases, you may even start to experience phobias or PTSD regarding jail.

Posting bail is affordable, and the benefits are worth the price. Remaining in jail to await your hearing can actually worsen your overall quality of life and well-being long after your trial is over. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of bail, or if you need to post bail, contact us at Matt McKeehan Bail Bonds today.