NCJ Number
19327
Date Published
1974
Length
48 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, AND PROGRAM SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT WHICH PROVIDES INTENSIVE, SHORT TERM, INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CARE FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 RESIDENTS OF BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES.
Abstract
THIS PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE THE LACK OF FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL FOR TREATING THE MENTALLY ILL WITHIN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. THE CARE IS PROVIDED AT NORRISTOWN STATE HOSPITAL WITH STAFF PROVIDED JOINTLY BY THE HOSPITAL AND THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS. TREATMENT CONSISTS OF PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION, GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY, INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, HOSPITAL EMPLOYMENT, VOCATIONAL AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING, ACADEMIC SCHOOL, AND RECREATION THERAPY. EVALUATION ACTIVITIES CONSISTED OF A REVIEW OF RELEVANT RECORDS, MONITORING OF POPULATION CHANGES, ATTENDANCE AT PROJECT MEETINGS, INTERVIEWS WITH STAFF AND PATIENTS, AND A SURVEY OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO DETERMINE THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT THE NORRISTOWN UNIT. THE EVALUATION SHOWED THAT OF THE 12 PATIENTS WHO HAD COMPLETED THE PROGRAM, 9 WERE RETURNED TO A COMMUNITY TREATMENT CENTER, ONE WAS RELEASED ON PAROLE, AND ONE WAS COMMITTED TO FARVIEW STATE HOSPITAL. A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN BEHAVIOR AS MEASURED BY THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STATUS NOTES WAS OBSERVED IN A SAMPLE OF 17 PATIENTS. PROBLEMS WERE NOTED IN THE FAILURE OF UNIT STAFF TO PROVIDE CLEAR TREATMENT PLANS TO PRISONS WHEN INMATES ARE RETURNED AT REFERRAL OR RELEASE, AND IN THE FAILURE OF PRISONS TO FOLLOW TREATMENT PLANS WHEN THEY ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)