The SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic affected people deprived of liberty in Colombia, a vulnerable group due to unfavorable prison conditions and deficient protection measures. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on cognitive function and subjective perception of executive functions in this group. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 47 men deprived of liberty between 18 and 55 years of age, in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) and the BANFE-2 Battery were used. The participants provided informed consent and affirmed having tested positive in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. 

Results: It was determined that, 97.9% of individuals deprived of liberty had a positive PCR test, and 76.6% exhibited normal cognitive function in the MoCA Test. The subjective perception of executive functioning was recorded with normal parameters, at 68.1% according to the BANFE-2.

A negative correlation was found between the MoCA Test  (orientation subtest) and reported categories of SARS-CoV-2 virus symptoms. In addition, the abstraction MoCA variable showed an inverse relationship of (−3.19).  

Conclusions: The study demonstrated a negative correlation between cognitive impairment and SARS-CoV-2 symptoms in people deprived of liberty. Most of the participants presented normal cognitive and executive functioning, indicating a proportional inverse relationship between the variables evaluated.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Persons deprived of liberty; Cognitive function; Subjective perception of executive functioning.