NCJ Number
142108
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: 1990 Pages: 3-13
Editor(s)
F. J. Porporino,
C. Tellier
Date Published
1990
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Brief descriptions of recently published studies are presented that focus on correctional staff perceptions of disordered offenders, mental health treatment in the correctional setting, mental health service coordination, disturbed violent offenders, pharmacotherapy, psychopathy intervention, self-injury, and Canadian regional psychiatric centers.
Abstract
A study that evaluated the perceptions of 78 correctional officers toward mentally disordered inmates in Vancouver, Canada, revealed extreme differences between officer perceptions of people in general and mentally disordered or mentally ill prisoners, particularly with respect to dangerousness. Almost all officers, however, were interested in additional training to deal with mentally disordered offenders. A U.S. study of the outcome of mental health treatment in the correctional setting found that such treatment benefited offenders suffering from mental and behavioral disorders during their incarceration and after release. Another study in Canada found that interjurisdictional and jurisdictional cooperation produced positive results in the provision of forensic mental health services. A research project in New York evaluated a sample of 1,307 disturbed violent offenders who were divided into three categories of mental health experience: substance abuse, psychiatric, and combined substance abuse and psychiatric. Findings showed that offenders with mental health histories, in particular substance abusers, had more extensive criminal records than other offenders. Results also indicated a connection between substance abuse and crime type. This study also considered sentencing and programming concerns for violent and disturbed offenders. The use of drugs, such as lithium, propranol, Carbamazephine, and Conacher, to treat offenders with mental problems is discussed. The beneficial effect of therapeutic community treatment programs on the recidivism of psychopaths is noted, and a therapeutic program for individuals who self-injure, particularly women, is described. Occupancy rate data in Canadian regional psychiatric centers between 1981 and 1986 are presented. 3 figures