NCJ Number
221181
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 69 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2007 Pages: 38-40
Date Published
December 2007
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article offers recommendations that provide a framework for conducting research that will yield evidence for producing best practices in correctional mental health services.
Abstract
First, further consensus and development of models for correctional mental health services are required. Such conceptual models provide a starting point and a host theory or structure for understanding that "services" in such a public safety system are created in the context of distinctive needs and legal mandates. Second, research mandates for correctional mental health providers are necessary. In order to enhance service delivery, a research mandate is required to specify effective research designs that address the issue of which practices are effective at multiple levels of the correctional system, including inmate management in prison, control, safety, and symptom reduction. Third, correctional administrators, managers, and clinicians must continue to advocate for a clearer understanding of the relationship between the needs related to criminal behavior and mental health needs. A strong interaction between these two areas of need is hypothesized; however, proceeding under this hypothesis without identifying the distinctive features of each of these domains risks basing the mental health system in services whose target variables are too limited and/or irrelevant to multiple client needs. Fourth, investigate the systemic values of change. It would be useful to examine the correctional system's values for measuring positive behavioral, emotional, and attitudinal change in offenders and how this may impact outcomes when compared with certain offender values such as continued criminality, opposition to the system, and alienation from mainstream values and lifestyles. Fifth, staff training must involve information about mental health service/delivery models. This is necessary in order to implement practices that allow research on service delivery to be integrated with the provision of services. 13 notes