SOME ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS AT THE REGIONAL PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE (ABBOTSFORD)

• NCJ Number: 48718
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 301-307
• Author(s): J ARBOLEDA-FLOREZ
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Assoc for the Prevention of Crime
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE CANADIAN CONGRESS OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS, CALGARY, ALBERTA, JULY 1977

Annotation

THE ETHICAL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE DUAL USE OF A FACILITY AS A PRISON AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT CENTER ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE REGIONAL PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE AT ABBOTSFORD IS BOTH A PENITENTIARY (AS WOULD BE ANY INSTITUTION RUN BY THE CANADIAN PENITENTIARY SERVICE), CLASSIFIED AS MAXIMUM SECURITY, AND A HOSPITAL WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE HOSPITAL ACT OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. THIS DOUBLE STATUS IS SEEN TO PLACE THIS INSTITUTION'S PROGRAM AND STAFF IN A CONFLICT OF ROLES EMANATING FROM THE POLARIZED PERSPECTIVES OF A PRISON PHILOSOPHY, EMPHASIZING PUNITIVE AND SECURITY OBJECTIVES, AND A MENTAL HEALTH PHILOSOPHY, EMPHASIZING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST AND ACCEPTANCE BETWEEN PATIENT AND THERAPIST. SECURITY OF VIEW DUE TO DIFFERENCES IN TRAINING AND BACKGROUND. DUE TO THIS POLARIZATION IN STAFF ATTITUDES TOWARD THE RESIDENTS, CONFUSION AND COMPLEX MINIPULATIONS ARE SEEN TO PREVAIL IN RESIDENT-STAFF RELATIONS. PRISON REGULATIONS REQUIRING THAT ALL STAFF MEMBERS REPORT KNOWLEDGE OF INMATE INFRACTIONS OF PRISON RULES AND MAKE ALL INMATE RECORDS AVAILABLE FOR SCRUTINY BY CORRECTIONS AUTHORITIES RENDERS VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE THE CONFIDENTIALITY BETWEEN PATIENT AND THERAPIST CONSIDERED SO ESSENTIAL IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD. UNLESS THE RESIDENT IS CERTIFIED MENTALLY ILL WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, HE WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE REGIONAL PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE INVOLUNTARILY. BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF CASES REQUIRING ADMISSION IN THE PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE FROM OTHR PENITENTIARIES ARE BEHAVIOR CASES; PROVISION OF CUSTODIAL CARE BECOME DIFFICULT FOR PRISON STAFF, WHO IN TURN, MUST LOOK TO THE CENTRE TO HANDLE THEIR UNMANAGEABLE PRISONERS. OFTEN SUCH INMATES ARE NOT CERTIFIABLY MENTALLY ILL AND CAN THEREFORE BE ADMITTED TO THE CENTRE ONLY ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. BELIEVING THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE ADEQUATE TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS IN INSTITUTIONS NOT EXCLUSIVELY DEVOTED TO TREATMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE REGIONAL PSYCHIATRIC CENTRES BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE JURISDICTION OF THE PENITENTIARY SERVICE AND PLACED UNDER THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE. A PARLIAMENTRY ENQUIRY HAS ALSO MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)