NCJ Number
74444
Date Published
1980
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Problems attending the present state of forensic psychiatry, how these problems might be solved, and by whom are discussed.
Abstract
With the change in orientation from rehabilitation to custody in corrections, the emphasis on and resources for forensic psychiatric services have diminished. Forensic psychiatry thus finds itself ill-equipped to perform such services as the diagnosis of the mentally ill offender for trial, disposition, and care in the community, in jails, and correctional facilities. At the same time, the responsibilities of forensic psychiatry have increased and altered dramatically in terms of growth in client populations and the kinds of offender behavior with which the profession must deal. Major obstacles to improving the care of the mentally ill offender are the lack of communication about the issue within each State and in the Nation generally and the lack of coordination of efforts. At the State level, an important first step in overcoming these obstacles would be the establishment of a strong department of forensic mental health within a State department of corrections. The functions of such a department would be facilitating communication between and coordination of forensic mental health services in the State, legal consultation, research, planning, and upgrading of staff. Its activities would focus on communities, the courts, the county jails and workhouses, and the State correctional facilities. Correctional mental health programs in Tennessee, Vermont, and Michigan are described, and some community and county approaches are noted. A New Jersey program which trains staff and inmates for humanizing prison social interactions is also discussed. Twelve references are provided.