Background: Depression is a prevalent finding in offender adolescents. The present study was conducted in a prison in Yazd to determine the frequency of depression and its associated factors in adolescent prison population.

Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive study. 58 male adolescent criminals were included. They were selected through simple sampling. Demographic data including age, level of education, family size, having private house, drug addiction, type of criminal and the possibility of any somatic disability were all recorded. Beck standard test (Including 21 questions) was performed for all candidates. Chi-square was used for data analysis.

Results: Results have revealed that all candidates have depression with different severity. Severe depression was noted in 58.6%, however, moderate and mild depression was present in 24.1% and 17.3%, respectively. Significant association was found between depression and: Not having private house, criminals of stealing type, family size greater than 8, drug addiction and suicide intentions (P<0.05). Illiterate individuals as well as those who have somatic disability or belong to low economic class were more depressed.

Conclusion: Results have revealed the high prevalence of depression among offender adolescents. Thus, further studies are strongly recommended to determine the associated factors, so that incase of prompt diagnosis and prevention better results will be achieved.