Managing mentally ill inmates in prisons

    Authors

    K. Adams;J. Ferrandino

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Crim. Justice Behav.

    Keywords

    mentally ill inmates; treatment; management; THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES; CORRECTIONAL PSYCHOLOGY; HEALTH-CARE; OFFENDERS; RISK; PSYCHOPATHY; DIRECTIONS; PROVIDERS; OFFICERS; DISORDER; Psychology, Clinical; Criminology & Penology

    Abstract

    Mentally ill inmates now comprise a substantial portion of the prison population and pose administrative and therapeutic challenges to prison administrators and mental health professionals. Some evidence suggests that both the size of the population and the seriousness of their illnesses are increasing. Given this context, several issues are highlighted and discussed in terms of contemporary efforts to deal with mentally ill inmates. Specifically, discussion centers on the use of actuarial devices for prediction and classification, the conflict between treatment and control and the relation between treatment and management, the distinction between risks and stakes and use of the environment as therapy, use of medication and isolation, and the role of correction officers in mental health treatment. The authors make an argument for more sophisticated approaches in dealing with mentally ill inmates that rely on expanded therapeutic options, broader role definitions for prison staff, and an evidence-based approach for individualizing treatment.

    Journal Title

    Criminal Justice and Behavior

    Volume

    35

    Issue/Number

    8

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    913

    Last Page

    927

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000257673000002

    ISSN

    0093-8548

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