Presentation Essentials
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Unit4PP.pptxMental Disorders in American Prison System
The STATE OF THE PRISON SYSTEM
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Introduction
Criminal justice agencies the largest mental health provider in the country
Quality mental health services help maintain security
Offering mental health services allows inmates to participate in their rehabilitative process
A majority of prison wardens have poorly equipped facilities and inadequate skills to deal with the prevalence of mental illness
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There is an extraordinary high number of mental patients behind bars
There should be measures taken to provide mental health services to these patients
There are a number of simple ways that can be used to enhance the provision of these services; including training correctional stuff, and adopting new corrections policies
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Background
Mental illnesses are prevalent in individuals behind bars
Over 75%cases of mental illnesses are recorded in prisons and jails.
Inmates with potential mental health issues are often not assessed by mental health professionals
There is little information concerning the efforts made to minimize the increase of mental disorders in prisons
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There are a lot of benefits associated with providing mental health services to persons in correctional facilities
Its most obvious benefits is that it promotes the attainment of the objectives of these facilities
For the offenders, it allows for their participation in the rehabilitation process, and integration into the community
The community benefits from the provision of these services
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Inmates and Mental Disorders
Prisoners are at a higher risk of getting psychological disorders than the general public (Wolfe et al. 2014).
Mental disorders more common among females and young prisoners.
Jail suicides usually involve young, highly traumatized, alcohol compromised individuals
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The success of correctional facilities depends on cooperation among stakeholders
It is important to pay attention to the individual needs of inmates
It is most favourable where offenders participate in their own rehabilitation
Mentally ill offenders lack the capacity to assist in their own development
The program aims to assist offenders become aware of their own inadequacies, and seek solutions
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Lack of Mental Health Services
A national study of jail suicides found that 89% were not screened for suicidal behavior at booking
Correctional facilities have failed to provide adequate mental health services to inmates
There are inadequate or unavailable psychological services at initial intake and during incarceration
There is limited staff training and direction in suicide prevention
Solitary confinement largely contributes to development of mental disorders
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There is insufficient training of correctional staff on mental health
It is important for correctional facilities to adopt policies that offer mental health services to inmates
51% of the suicides by mentally ill inmates occur in the first 24 hours of incarceration
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Role of Stakeholders
The Department of corrections, and other stakeholders need to participate in provision of mental health services
Correctional facilities treatment policies need to be reassessed
Treatment programs for prisoners with severe psychological illnesses should be introduced
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The success of the correctional facilities require the participation of different stakeholders
All these stakeholders are in direct contact with the offenders requiring mental health services
Correctional stuff will play the most significant part in the success of the program
They will assess, screen, observe, and treat cases of mental illnesses
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Methodology and Results
Surveys of inmates were conducted
The accuracy of the surveys was documented
The prison system keeps well documented information about their operations
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Taking surveys among the prisons and interviewing the inmates is an effective method of correcting information
Looking at data from prisons as well as from local jails will offer an effective avenue for the right information.
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References
Brown, R. L. (2015). Decriminalizing Mental Illness: The Need for Treatment over Incarceration Before Prisons Become the New Asylums for the Mentally Ill.
Fields, G., & Phillips, E. E. (2013). The new asylums: jails swell with mentally ill. Wall Street Journal, 25.
Fuller, D. (2015). The New Asylums: Mentally Ill and Behind Bars.
Wolfe, H. R., Haas, S., &Olley, C. (2014). Prison Abuse and Mental Health.
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