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recommendations programs that can increase the mental health literacy of correctional officers
for the purpose of improving the treatment of the mentally ill inmates. It is shown through the
literature that the mentally ill are not only more likely to become incarcerated but also to endure
conditions in the prison facilities that magnify their mental illnesses creating a cycle of
recidivism. This treatment is then linked to a lack of mental health literacy among the
correctional officers. It is then recommended that training in the area of mental health be
incorporated into the regular training for correctional officers to reduce the stigma and provide
knowledge about the signs of mental health issues. An emphasis on the Christian worldview is
then included in the conclusion of the report.
Mental Illness
Mental illness continues to be discussed in the media as occurrences of public violence
support the stigmatization of the mentally ill. While there are many ways to discuss mental
illness in terms of the criminal justice system, the fact remains that the mentally ill are more
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likely to be incarcerated at some point in their lives than their mentally well peers. There are also
many different ways to consider how society should handle this reality through different social
institutions ranging from child development to mental institutions. The range of these possible
topics shows that the issue is significant with little to no progress in sight. However, as the scope
of this current paper cannot possibly address all of these differing approaches, it is necessary to
move from what is known to determine how to move forward. As it is evident that the criminal
justice system and those who suffer from mental illness will generally interact in such a way as
to lead to the mentally ill being incarcerated, it is important to determine the level of mental
health literacy necessary for correctional officers to be able to work with these inmates.
Therefore, it is the intention of this paper to present the currently available relating to the
treatment of the mentally ill in prisons and the current mental health literacy of correctional
officers. This will lead to recommendations programs that can increase the mental health literacy
of correctional officers for the purpose of improving the treatment of the mentally ill inmates.
The Treatment of the Mentally Ill in Prisons
According to research conducted by Hoke (2015) inmates who are mentally ill are
disproportionately represented among the prison population. The right to healthcare for these
prisoners is often viewed as limited due to the nature of their crimes. Furthermore, Hoke (2015)
found that mental health treatments are not regularly available in most of the prison settings
which means that the mental illnesses continue to progress and, upon release, these inmates are
likely to continue to exhibit criminal behaviors and be returned to prison. The treatment within
these facilities often aggravate the symptoms of mental illness leading to suicide, drug abuse, and
behavioral outbursts (Hoke, 2015). Barrenger, Draine, Angell, and Herman (2017) reinforced this
claim by explaining that there has been a shift from thinking that criminal behavior is an internal
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process towards a more comprehensive understanding of the social factors that influence
behaviors. Yet, researchers Haney, Weill, Bakhshay, and Lockett (2016) questioned the amount
of social influence received by these inmates who are often perceived as unable to function in the
general population and forced into isolation where their mental health conditions quickly
deteriorate. Punitive isolation, stigmatized responses to the needs of the mentally ill, and a lack
of access to the much needed mental healthcare services continues to support the cycle of
recidivism for the mentally ill. In brief, the treatment of the mentally ill once incarcerated causes
the symptoms of their mental illness to become more evident making it difficult for them to
function in the normal society leading to their return to prison.
The Mental Health Literacy of Correctional Officers
Although the correctional officers cannot control the social stigmatization of the mentally
ill that leads to their initial incarceration, it is not unjustified to claim that their actions towards
these inmates add to the problem. Of course, this cannot be said to be intention but rather a
practice supported by a lack of mental health training and literacy among the correctional
officers. According to Pillai, Rouse, McKenna, Skipworth, Cavney, and Tapsell, et al. (2016)
recognition of the signs of mental illness is often overlooked as a necessary skill for officers. In
fact, the researchers found that most inmates who have serious mental illnesses are not identified
or referred for testing despite exhibiting very obvious signs of mental illness. Without referrals,
Pillai, Rouse, McKenna, Skipworth, Cavney, and Tapsell, et al. (2016) explained that these
inmates are never tested and interventions can not be used to help to address their mental
illnesses. Galanek (2015) found that correctional officers with adequate knowledge of mental
illnesses could serve as an advocate for mental healthcare but the difference lies in the officer’s
attitude about mental illness. Specifically, Galanek (2015) stated that “officers’ negative attitudes
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about inmates identified as mentally ill, with receipt of training contributing to positive
perspectives and officers being supportive of treatment, even potentially coercive measures” (pg.
4). In other words, the negative attitudes are supported by a lack of information while proper
training changes the treatment of the mentally ill inmate. This suggests that the level of mental
health literacy is low among the majority of correctional officers based on the current trends of
recidivism.
Recommendations
A recent article presented by Tomar, Ghezzi, Brinkley-Rubinstein, Wilson, Van Deinse,
Burgin, and Cuddeback (2017) explained the promotion of health literacy at yet another stage of
the criminal justice process. Focusing on probation officers, the researchers found that mental
health education programs helped to reduce the amount of stigmatization and improve the
relationships between the probation officers and those who are serving their sentences on
probation. Based on these improved relationships, Tomar, Ghezzi, Brinkley-Rubinstein, Wilson,
Van Deinse, Burgin, and Cuddeback (2017) explained that the outcomes of reduced recidivism
were expected to improve. Furthermore, the researchers explained that the probation service was
far more supportive of interventions to improve the mental health of those on probation and
increase the recommendations for interventions. Researchers Kutcher, Wei, and Coniglio (2016)
added that mental health literacy has received a greater attention in the literature in recent years
making it possible to implement strategies into the already available training programs for public
service workers. The researchers refer to this training as the ability for “obtaining and applying
skills related to social capital, such as understanding rights related to health and health care and
understanding how to advocate for health improvement” (Kutcher, Wei, & Coniglio, 2016, pg.
154). Therefore, it is recommended that all correctional officers receive training on mental health
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symptoms and interventions as they are best able to observe the inmates and determine if
treatment is necessary as well as having the authority to initiate additional conditions that could
either support or hinder their mental health.
Conclusion
In closing, there are many aspects of the criminal justice system that must be improved to
meet the needs of the mentally ill in society. Yet, the correctional officers are most often in
contact with these individuals. How they are treated in this setting is critical in determining their
overall outcomes. However, when correctional officers are not given adequate training, the
treatment of these inmates is based on stigmatizations. The Bible clearly questions these
stigmatizations and judgements as “judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you
pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do
you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
(Matthew 7:1-3). It is important that the log or stigmatization is removed through effective and
appropriate training. It is easy in the context of the modern portrayal of mental illness to simply
continue this cycle. However, it is not in the Christian worldview to fail to receive information
that could promote fair treatment to all of God’s people regardless of their previous actions or
mental health status.
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References
Barrenger, S. L., Draine, J., Angell, B., & Herman, D. (2017). Reincarceration risk among men
with mental illnesses leaving prison: a risk environment analysis. Community mental
health journal, 53(8), 883-892.
Galanek, J. D. (2015). Correctional officers and the incarcerated mentally ill: Responses to
psychiatric illness in prison. Medical anthropology quarterly, 29(1), 116-136.
Haney, C., Weill, J., Bakhshay, S., & Lockett, T. (2016). Examining jail isolation: What we
don’t know can be profoundly harmful. The Prison Journal, 96(1), 126-152.
Hoke, S. (2015). Mental illness and prisoners: Concerns for communities and healthcare
providers. Online journal of issues in nursing, 20(1).
Kutcher, S., Wei, Y., & Coniglio, C. (2016). Mental health literacy: past, present, and future. The
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 61(3), 154-158.
Pillai, K., Rouse, P., McKenna, B., Skipworth, J., Cavney, J., Tapsell, R., ... & Madell, D. (2016).
From positive screen to engagement in treatment: a preliminary study of the impact of a
new model of care for prisoners with serious mental illness. BMC psychiatry, 16(1), 9.
Tomar, N., Ghezzi, M. A., Brinkley-Rubinstein, L., Wilson, A. B., Van Deinse, T. B., Burgin, S.,
& Cuddeback, G. S. (2017). Statewide mental health training for probation officers:
improving knowledge and decreasing stigma. Health & justice, 5(1), 11.
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