Correctional Mental Health Services: Results of a National Survey (From State of Corrections: Proceedings of ACA Annual Conferences, 1989, P 163-170, 1990, Ann Dargis, ed. -- See NCJ-122583)

• NCJ Number: 122609
• Author(s): B Wolford
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A survey of State correctional mental health services received responses from 28 States and found that correctional mental health professionals face increasing demands for services coupled with limited resources.

Abstract

Fifty-six percent of the respondents felt that levels of mental health services were inadequate to meet offenders' needs. Most States lack legislative mandates requiring the provision of correctional health services, but in 44 percent of the States, courts have mandated such services. Most jurisdictions have plans to provide services for individuals who are currently underserved. Most States also provide some specialized programs for sex offenders. Seventeen populations with special needs were identified as the recipients of mental health services. The groups most often noted were mentally-ill offenders, substance abusers, sex offenders, and offenders with a history of mental illness. Findings showed that inmates are diverse groups of individuals with serious mental health problems that far too often go untreated. Tables, attached survey instrument, and 4 references.