<![CDATA[Introduction: Inmates have the same rights as other public members to receive quality health services, including adequate mental health services. However, there are several challenges faced by nurses in providing mental health services for inmates, especially in maximum security prisons. This study aims to explore the experiences of nurses in providing the mental health needs of inmates who generally have to undergo long-term or even lifelong rehabilitation, experience strict restrictions on the outside world, face the death penalty, and are at greater risk of psychological and psychosocial disorders.Method: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used in this study. A total of ten nurses were selected by purposive sampling from eight maximum security prisons in Indonesia. Recruitment of participants and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted from June to August 2024. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Four themes were obtained: (1) Triggers of mental health disorders; (2) Challenges in providing mental health services; (3) Efforts to provide mental health services for inmates; (4) Things needed to provide adequate mental health services for inmates.Conclusions: Nurses, as one of or even the only health workers in maximum security correctional institutions, are responsible for caring for several inmates with mental health disorders. The availability of nursing staff with mental health nursing competencies is needed so that the need for comprehensive mental health services for inmates can be met. In addition, competent nurses will be able to deal with work pressures caused by workloads and ethical dilemmas in caring for inmates with a criminal background.]]>
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